Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
8 [a]They move forward with increasing strength
as they behold the God of gods in Zion.
9 O Lord of hosts, hear my prayer;
listen to my pleas, O God of Jacob. Selah
10 O God, look upon our shield[b]
behold the face of your anointed one.
11 It is better to spend one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper[c] in God’s house
than dwell inside the tents of the wicked.
12 The Lord God serves as our sun[d] and our shield;
the Lord showers us with grace and glory.
He does not withhold any good thing
from those who walk in integrity.
Belshazzar’s Banquet[a]
Chapter 5
The Writing on the Wall. 1 King Belshazzar hosted a magnificent banquet for a thousand of his nobles, and he was drinking wine in their presence. 2 Under the influence of the wine, he gave orders that the gold and silver vessels that his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem were to be brought in so that the king, his nobles, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them.
3 Therefore, the gold and silver vessels that had been removed from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, were brought in, and the king, his nobles, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. 4 They drank their wine and praised their gods of gold and silver, of bronze and iron, of wood and stone.
5 Suddenly, the fingers of a human hand appeared and began to write on the plaster of the wall of the royal palace next to the lampstand, and the king watched the hand as it wrote. 6 Then the king turned pale, and his thoughts terrified him. His legs grew limp, and his knees began to knock.
7 Then the king shouted aloud, ordering the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers to be brought in. When they entered, he addressed the wise men of Babylon and said, “Whoever can read this writing and tell me its interpretation shall be clothed in purple, wear a gold chain around his neck, and rank third in the government of the kingdom.”
8 However, none of the king’s wise men could either read the writing or explain to the king what it meant. 9 Then King Belshazzar became greatly terrified. His face grew even more pale, and his lords were in a state of confusion.
10 When the queen heard the commotion made by the king and his lords, she came into the banqueting hall and said, “May Your Majesty live forever. Do not let your thoughts terrify you. Why should you look so pale? 11 In your kingdom there is a man who has within him the Spirit of the holy God. During your father’s lifetime this man was renowned for his enlightenment, insight, and godlike wisdom, and to such a degree that King Nebuchadnezzar, your father, appointed him as chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and diviners.
12 “Therefore, since this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, has a keen mind, and is endowed with knowledge and understanding and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems, summon him. He will be able to give you the interpretation you seek.”
Chapter 5
Faithful and Humble Leadership.[a] 1 I now exhort the presbyters[b] among you, as a fellow presbyter myself and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and as one who has shared in the glory that is to be revealed. 2 Be shepherds of the flock of God that has been entrusted to your care. Watch over it, not as a duty, but willingly in accord with the will of God, not for sordid gain, but because you are eager to do so.
3 Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. 4 Then, when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that never fades away.
Humility and Firm Faith.[c] 5 In the same way, you who are younger must be submissive to those who are older. And all of you should clothe yourselves with humility in your relationships with one another, for
“God opposes the proud,
but he gives grace to the humble.”
6 Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time he may exalt you. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares about you.
8 Remain sober and alert, for your enemy the devil is on the prowl like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him and be firm in your faith, for you are well aware that your brethren throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
10 Promise of Strength and Vindication. After you have suffered for a brief period, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and support you. 11 All power belongs to him forever and ever. Amen.
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