Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
8 I will listen to what God will say;
surely the Lord will declare peace
to his people, his faithful ones,
and not let them go back to foolish ways.(A)
9 His salvation is very near those who fear him,
so that glory may dwell in our land.(B)
10 Faithful love and truth will join together;
righteousness and peace will embrace.(C)
11 Truth will spring up from the earth,
and righteousness will look down from heaven.(D)
12 Also, the Lord will provide what is good,
and our land will yield its crops.(E)
13 Righteousness will go before him
to prepare the way for his steps.(F)
God’s Reasons for Punishing Israel
3 Listen to this message that the Lord has spoken against you, Israelites, against the entire clan that I brought from the land of Egypt:(A)
2 I have known only you(B)
out of all the clans of the earth;
therefore, I will punish you for all your iniquities.(C)
3 Can two walk together(D)
without agreeing to meet?
4 Does a lion roar(E) in the forest
when it has no prey?
Does a young lion growl from its lair
unless it has captured something?
5 Does a bird land in a trap on the ground
if there is no bait for it?
Does a trap spring from the ground
when it has caught nothing?
6 If a ram’s horn(F) is blown in a city,
aren’t people afraid?(G)
If a disaster(H) occurs in a city,
hasn’t the Lord done it?(I)
7 Indeed, the Lord God does nothing
without revealing his counsel
to his servants the prophets.(J)
8 A lion has roared;(K)
who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken;(L)
who will not prophesy?(M)
9 Proclaim on the citadels in Ashdod(N)
and on the citadels in the land of Egypt:
Assemble on the mountains of Samaria,(O)
and see the great turmoil in the city
and the acts of oppression within it.(P)
10 The people are incapable of doing right(Q)—
this is the Lord’s declaration—
those who store up violence and destruction(R)
in their citadels.
11 Therefore, the Lord God says:
12 The Lord says:
Speaking to God and Others
2 Devote yourselves(A) to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door(B) to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ,(C) for which I am in chains,(D) 4 so that I may make it known as I should. 5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.(E) 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt,(F) so that you may know how you should answer each person.(G)
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus,(H) our dearly loved brother, faithful(I) minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are[a] and so that he may encourage(J) your hearts.(K) 9 He is coming with Onesimus,(L) a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark,(M) Barnabas’s(N) cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcised are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras,(O) who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling(P) for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured[b] in everything God wills.(Q) 13 For I testify about him that he works hard[c](R) for you, for those in Laodicea,(S) and for those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas(T) send you greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home.(U) 16 After this letter has been read at your gathering, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And tell Archippus,(V) “Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.”(W)
18 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains.(X) Grace be with you.[d](Y)
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