Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Psalm 131

A Song of ^[a]Ascents. Of David.

¹ Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty; neither do I exercise myself in matters too great or in things too wonderful for me.

² Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me [ceased from fretting].

³ O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever.

²² Lying lips are extremely disgusting and hateful to the Lord, but they who deal faithfully are His delight.^(A)

²³ A prudent man is reluctant to display his knowledge, but the heart of [self-confident] fools proclaims their folly.^(B)

²⁴ The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor.

²⁵ Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad.^(C)

²⁶ The [consistently] righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked causes others to go astray.

²⁷ The slothful man does not catch his game or roast it once he kills it, but the diligent man gets precious possessions.

²⁸ Life is in the way of righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation), and in its pathway there is no death but immortality (perpetual, eternal life).^(D)

¹⁹ But I hope and trust in the Lord Jesus soon to send Timothy to you, so that I may also be encouraged and cheered by learning news of you.

²⁰ For I have no one like him [no one of so kindred a spirit] who will be so genuinely interested in your welfare and devoted to your interests.

²¹ For the others all seek [to advance] their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

²² But Timothy’s tested worth you know, how as a son with his father he has toiled with me zealously in [serving and helping to advance] the good news (the Gospel).

²³ I hope therefore to send him promptly, just as soon as I know how my case is going to turn out.

²⁴ But [really] I am confident and fully trusting in the Lord that shortly I myself shall come to you also.