Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
A Welcome for God into the Temple
A song of David.
24 The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord.
The world and all its people belong to him.
2 He built it on the waters.
He set it on the rivers.
3 Who may go up on the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy Temple?
4 Only those with clean hands and pure hearts.
They must not have worshiped idols.
They must not have made promises in the name of a false god.
5 It is they who will receive a blessing from the Lord.
The God who saves them will declare them right.
6 They try to follow God.
They look to the God of Jacob for help. Selah
7 Open up, you gates.
Open wide, you aged doors.
Then the glorious king will come in.
8 Who is this glorious king?
The Lord, strong and mighty.
The Lord, the powerful warrior.
9 Open up, you gates.
Open wide, you aged doors.
Then the glorious king will come in.
10 Who is this glorious king?
The Lord of heaven’s armies—
he is the glorious king. Selah
8 “The people are returning to you like clouds.
They are like doves flying to their nests.
9 People in faraway lands are waiting for me.
The great trading ships will come first.
They are bringing your children from faraway lands.
And with them they bring silver and gold.
This will happen to honor the Lord your God.
He is the Holy One of Israel.
And he does wonderful things for you.
10 “Jerusalem, foreigners will rebuild your walls.
Their kings will serve you.
When I was angry, I hurt you.
But now I want to be kind to you and comfort you.
11 Your gates will always be open.
They will not be closed day or night
so the nations can bring their wealth to you.
And their kings will be led to you.
12 If a nation or kingdom doesn’t serve you,
it will be destroyed.
It will be completely ruined.
13 “The great trees of Lebanon will be given to you.
Its pine, fir and cypress trees will come to you.
You will use these trees to make my Temple beautiful.
And I will give much honor to this place where I rest my feet.
14 The people who have hurt you will bow down to you.
Those who hated you will bow down at your feet.
They will call you The City of the Lord.
They will call you Jerusalem, city of the Holy One of Israel.
15 “You have been hated and left empty.
No one has even passed through.
But I will make you great from now on.
You will be a place of happiness forever and ever.
16 Nations will give you what you need.
It will be like a child drinking milk from its mother.
Then you will know that it is I, the Lord, who saves you.
You will know that the Powerful One of Jacob protects you.
Luke Writes About Jesus’ Life
1 To Theophilus:
Many have tried to give a history of the things that happened among us. 2 They have written the same things that we learned from others—the people who saw those things from the beginning and served God by telling people his message. 3 I myself studied everything carefully from the beginning, your Excellency.[a] I thought I should write it out for you. So I put it in order in a book. 4 I write these things so that you can know that what you have been taught is true.
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.