Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
Chapter 26
Judah’s Praise and Prayer for Deliverance.[a] 1 On that day this song shall be sung in the land of Judah:
“A strong city[b] have we;
he sets up victory as our walls and ramparts.(A)
2 Open up the gates
that a righteous nation may enter,
one that keeps faith.(B)
3 With firm purpose you maintain peace;
in peace, because of our trust in you.”(C)
4 Trust in the Lord forever!
For the Lord is an eternal Rock.(D)
5 He humbles those who dwell on high,
the lofty city he brings down,
Brings it down to the ground,
levels it to the dust.(E)
6 The feet of the needy trample on it—
the feet of the poor.
Epaphroditus. 25 With regard to Epaphroditus,[a] my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier, your messenger and minister in my need, I consider it necessary to send him to you.(A) 26 For he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 He was indeed ill, close to death; but God had mercy on him, not just on him but also on me, so that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I send him therefore with the greater eagerness, so that, on seeing him, you may rejoice again, and I may have less anxiety. 29 Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy and hold such people in esteem,(B) 30 because for the sake of the work of Christ he came close to death, risking his life to make up for those services to me that you could not perform.
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