Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

My Soul Thirsts for God

Psalm 42

River of Life

47 Then he brought me back to the door of the House. Behold, water was flowing out from under the threshold of the House eastward—for the front of the House faced east. The water was flowing down from under the right side of the House, south of the altar. ² He brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around outside by the way of the outer gate, the way of the gate looking east. Behold, water was trickling out from the right side.

³ When the man went out eastward with a line in his hand, he measured a 1,000 cubits. Then he led me into the water—water to the ankles. ⁴ Again he measured a 1,000, and led me into the water—water to the knees. Again he measured a 1,000, and he led me into the water—water up to the waist. ⁵ Again he measured a 1,000, and now it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen, water to swim in—a river that could not be crossed. ⁶ He said to me, “Have you seen this, son of man?”

Then he brought me back to the bank of the river. ⁷ When I had returned, behold, there were very many trees on one side and on the other, along the bank of the river. ^{[a] 8} Then he said to me, “These waters go out toward the eastern region. They go down to the Arabah and enter the sea. When they arrive at the sea, the waters of the sea will flow and will become fresh. ^{[b] 9} It will be that every living creature that swarms will live wherever the rivers go. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because this water goes there and makes the salt water fresh. So everything will be healed and live wherever the river goes. ¹⁰ Fishermen will stand by it; from En-gedi to En-eglaim, it will be a place for spreading of nets. Their fish will be of many different kinds—like the fish of the Great Sea, a huge quantity. ¹¹ Its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be set aside for salt. ¹² On the river, on its bank, on this side and that side, will grow every kind of tree for food. Its leaf will not wither; its fruit will not fail; it will bear new fruit every month, because its water flows out from the Sanctuary. Its fruit will be for food and its leaf will be for healing.”

¹⁷ But you, loved ones, ought to remember the words previously proclaimed by the emissaries of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah^[a]— ¹⁸ how they kept telling you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following after their own ungodly desires.” ^{[b] 19} These are the ones who cause divisions—worldly-minded, not having the Ruach

²⁰ But you, loved ones, continue building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Ruach ha-Kodesh. ²¹ Keep yourselves in the love of God, eagerly waiting for the mercy of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah that leads to eternal life. ²² And have mercy on those who are wavering— ²³ save them by snatching them out of the fire;^[c] but on others have mercy with fear—hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

Hymn to God Our Savior