Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

146 Praise the LORD, O my soul!

² I will praise the LORD during my life. As long as I have any being, I will sing to my God.

³ Do not put your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, for there is no help in him.

⁴ His breath departs. He returns to his earth. Then, his thoughts perish.

⁵ Blessed is he who has the God of Jacob for his help; whose hope is in the LORD his God,

⁶ Who made Heaven and Earth, the sea, and all that therein is. Who keeps his fidelity forever.

⁷ Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives bread to the hungry. The LORD frees the prisoners.

⁸ The LORD gives sight to the blind. The LORD raises up the crooked. The LORD loves the righteous.

⁹ The LORD keeps the strangers. He relieves the fatherless and widow; but He overthrows the way of the wicked.

¹⁰ The LORD shall reign forever! O Zion, your God endures from generation to generation. Praise the LORD!

¹¹ The rich man is wise in his own eyes. But the poor who has understanding can search him out.

¹² When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory. But when the wicked arise, man is disguised.

¹³ He who hides his sins shall not prosper. But he who confesses and forsakes them, shall have mercy.

¹⁴ Blessed is the man who is always reverent. But he who hardens his heart shall fall into evil.

¹⁵ As a roaring lion and a hungry bear, so is a wicked ruler over poor people.

¹⁶ A prince, destitute of understanding, is also a great oppressor. But he who hates covetousness shall prolong his days.

¹⁷ A man who does violence to human blood shall flee to the pit. Let no one hold him.

¹⁸ He who walks uprightly shall be saved. But he who is perverse in his ways, shall fall all at once.

¹⁹ He who tills his land shall be satisfied with bread. But he who follows the idle shall be filled with poverty.

²⁰ A faithful man shall abound in blessings. But he who rushes to be rich shall not be innocent.

²¹ To have respect of persons is not good; because that man will transgress for a piece of bread.

²² A man with a wicked eye rushes to riches, and does not know that poverty shall come upon him.

²³ He who rebukes a man shall find more favor afterward than he who flatters with his tongue.

²⁴ He who robs his father and mother, and says, “It is no transgression”, is the companion of a destroyer.

²⁵ A proud heart stirs up strife. But he who trusts in the LORD shall prosper.

²⁶ He who trusts in his own heart is a fool. But he who walks in wisdom shall be delivered.

²⁷ He who gives to the poor shall lack nothing. But he who hides his eyes shall have many curses.

²⁸ When the wicked arise, men hide themselves. But when they perish, the righteous increase.

⁴³ And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. And while they all wondered at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples,

⁴⁴ “Let these words sink down into your ears. For the time will come when the Son of Man shall be delivered into the hands of man.”

⁴⁵ But they did not understand that word, for it was hidden from them. So, they could not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask Him about that word.

⁴⁶ Then a dispute arose among them: which one of them should be the greatest.

⁴⁷ When Jesus saw the thoughts of their hearts, He took a little child and set him by Him.

⁴⁸ And He said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My Name, receives Me. And whoever shall receive Me, receives Him Who sent Me. For the one who is least among you all shall be great.”