Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

⁶⁵ Lord, I am overflowing with your blessings, just as you promised. ⁶⁶ Now teach me good judgment as well as knowledge. For your laws are my guide. ⁶⁷ I used to wander off until you punished me; now I closely follow all you say. ⁶⁸ You are good and do only good; make me follow your lead.

⁶⁹ Proud men have made up lies about me, but the truth is that I obey your laws with all my heart. ⁷⁰ Their minds are dull and stupid, but I have sense enough to follow you.

^71-72 The punishment you gave me was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws. They are more valuable to me than millions in silver and gold!

¹⁴ I will say, Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones. Prepare a glorious highway for my people’s return from captivity.

¹⁵ The high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this: I live in that high and holy place where those with contrite, humble spirits dwell; and I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant hearts. ¹⁶ For I will not fight against you forever, nor always show my wrath; if I did, all mankind would perish—the very souls that I have made. ¹⁷ I was angry and smote these greedy men. But they went right on sinning, doing everything their evil hearts desired. ¹⁸ I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them and comfort them, helping them to mourn and to confess their sins. ¹⁹ Peace, peace to them, both near and far, for I will heal them all. ²⁰ But those who still reject me^[a] are like the restless sea, which is never still, but always churns up mire and dirt. ²¹ There is no peace, says my God, for them!

¹⁵ Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a privilege it would be to get into the Kingdom of God!”

¹⁶ Jesus replied with this illustration: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. ¹⁷ When all was ready, he sent his servant around to notify the guests that it was time for them to arrive. ¹⁸ But they all began making excuses. One said he had just bought a field and wanted to inspect it, and asked to be excused. ¹⁹ Another said he had just bought five pair of oxen and wanted to try them out. ²⁰ Another had just been married and for that reason couldn’t come.

²¹ “The servant returned and reported to his master what they had said. His master was angry and told him to go quickly into the streets and alleys of the city and to invite the beggars, crippled, lame, and blind. ²² But even then, there was still room.

²³ “‘Well, then,’ said his master, ‘go out into the country lanes and out behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. ²⁴ For none of those I invited first will get even the smallest taste of what I had prepared for them.’”