Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
He
Instructed by the Word
33 Teach me, Lord, about the way of your statutes,
and I will observe them without fail.[a]
34 Give me understanding
and I will observe your instruction.[b]
I will keep it with all of my heart.
35 Help me live my life by your commands,
because my joy is in them.
36 Turn my heart to your decrees
and away from unjust gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from gazing at worthless things,
and revive me by your ways.
38 Confirm your promise to your servant,
which is for those who fear you.
39 Turn away the shame that I dread,
because your ordinances are good.
40 Look, I long for your precepts;
revive me through your righteousness.
The Death of Ezekiel’s Wife
15 This message came to me from the Lord: 16 “Son of Man, pay attention! I’m about to take away your most precious treasure[a] with a single, fatal stroke, but you are not to mourn, weep, nor even let tears well up in your eyes.[b] 17 You are to weep in silence, but you are not to participate in mourning rituals.[c] You are to keep your turban on your head and your sandals on your feet. You are not to cover your mouth[d] or eat what your comforters bring to you.”[e]
18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died that evening. The next[f] morning, I did as I had been commanded.
19 Then the people told me, “Are you going to explain what these things that you’re doing should mean to us?”
20 So I responded, “This message came to me from the Lord: 21 ‘Tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord God says: “Look! I’m about to profane my sanctuary, the source of your proud strength, the desire of your eyes, and the object of your affection. Your sons and daughters, whom you’ve left behind, will die by the sword. 22 That’s why you will soon be doing what I’ve just done. You are not to cover your mouth[g] or eat what your comforters bring to you.[h] 23 Your turbans will be on your heads and your sandals will be on your feet. You won’t mourn or weep. Instead, you’ll waste away in your sins. Every one of you will groan to his relative. 24 That’s how Ezekiel will be an example for you. You’ll be doing exactly what he has done. When it happens, then you’ll know that I am the Lord God.”’
25 “And now, Son of Man, on the day that I take their strength, joy, and glory from them, those whom they love to watch, the focus of their affection—their sons and daughters— 26 at that time,[i] a fugitive will come to you and will bring you the news.[j] 27 Your mouth will freely speak to the fugitive. You won’t be silent any longer. You’ll be a sign to them. Then they’ll know that I am the Lord.”
15 And how can people[a] preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are[b] those who bring the good news!”[c] 16 But not everyone has obeyed the gospel, for Isaiah asks, “Lord, who has believed our message?”[d] 17 Consequently, faith results from listening, and listening results through the word of the Messiah.[e]
18 But I ask, “Didn’t they hear?” Certainly they did! In fact,
“Their voice has gone out into the whole world,
and their words to the ends of the earth.”[f]
19 Again I ask, “Did Israel not understand?” Moses was the first to say,
“I will make you jealous
by those who are not a nation;
I will make you angry
by a nation that doesn’t understand.”[g]
20 And Isaiah boldly says,
“I was found by those who were not looking for me;
I was revealed to those who were not asking for me.”[h]
21 But about Israel he says,
“All day long I have held out my hands
to a disobedient and rebellious people.”[i]
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