Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

This is a song that David wrote.

God takes care of his people^[a]

A message about Jerusalem

22 This is a message about the city that is called ‘Vision Valley’.^[a]

What are you doing? You have all climbed up on the roofs of your houses!^[b]

² Your city is full of the noise of parties, and people are shouting. It was not war that killed the people who are lying in your streets. They did not die in a battle.

³ When the enemy came, all your leaders ran far away. The enemy caught all your people. They caught them all and they did not need to shoot any arrows!

⁴ So I say, ‘Leave me alone! Let me weep with many tears. The enemy has killed many of my people, so do not try to comfort me.’

⁵ The Lord, the Almighty Lord, has decided to bring great trouble to Vision Valley. It is a day of fear. People run here and there because they do not know what to do. The enemy knocks down the city's walls. People shout to the hills for help. ⁶ Elam's soldiers came with bows and arrows. They came with chariots and riders on horses. Kir's soldiers prepared their shields to fight. ⁷ So your beautiful valleys were full of chariots. Soldiers on horses prepared to attack your city's gates.

⁸ The enemy destroyed Judah's strong places where people could be safe. In that day, you looked for weapons in the House of the Forest.^[c]

Peter writes to leaders and young men

5 Now I want to say something to you who are leaders of the groups of believers. Like you, I am also a leader. I myself saw how people caused Christ to have great pain so that he died. One day people will see how great he really is. Then I will be among those people who join with him in heaven. So I say this to you who are leaders: ² Watch over the group of believers that God has given to you. Be like a shepherd that takes care of his sheep. Lead them well because you want to do it. Do not do it just because you have to do it. Do it in the way that God wants for you. Do not be a leader because you want to receive money for yourself. Instead, do it because you want to help people.

³ God has given you a group of believers to take care of them. Do not try to rule over them with power. Instead, show them how to live in a good way, so that they can copy you. ⁴ Then our master, Christ, will give you a beautiful crown when he appears. That is a great gift that will never become old or less beautiful. He is the great Shepherd who takes care of us.^[a]

⁵ I want to say the same thing to you who are young men. You must respect the authority of the leaders. All of you who are believers must respect one another. Do not think that you are more important than other people. The Bible says:

Peter finishes his letter

¹² Silas has helped me to write this short letter to you. I know that he continues to trust Christ well.^[a] I have written to you because I want you to be strong. I have told you how God is kind to us and he helps us. This is God's true message to you. So continue to believe it and be strong.

¹³ The believers here in Babylon say ‘hello’ to you.^[b] God has chosen them as his people, together with you. Mark, who is like my son, also says ‘hello’ to you. ¹⁴ When you meet, kiss each other as Christian brothers and sisters.

I pray for all of you who belong to Christ. I pray that God will give you peace in your minds.