Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
they despise anyone who speaks honestly.
11 Therefore, because you make the poor pay taxes on their crops[c]
and exact a grain tax from them,
you will not live in the houses you built with chiseled stone,
nor will you drink the wine from the fine[d] vineyards you planted.[e]
12 Certainly[f] I am aware of[g] your many rebellious acts[h]
and your numerous sins.
You[i] torment the innocent, you take bribes,
and you deny justice to[j] the needy at the city gate.[k]
13 For this reason whoever is smart[l] keeps quiet[m] in such a time,
for it is an evil[n] time.
14 Seek good and not evil so you can live!
12 So teach us to consider our mortality,[a]
so that we might live wisely.[b]
13 Turn back toward us, O Lord.
How long must this suffering last?[c]
Have pity on your servants.[d]
14 Satisfy us in the morning[e] with your loyal love.
Then we will shout for joy and be happy[f] all our days.
15 Make us happy in proportion to the days you have afflicted us,
in proportion to the years we have experienced[g] trouble.
16 May your servants see your work.[h]
May their sons see your majesty.[i]
17 May our Sovereign God extend his favor to us.[j]
Make our endeavors successful.
Yes, make them successful.[k]
12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from God,[a] but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
Jesus Our Compassionate High Priest
14 Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.[b]
The Rich Man
17 Now[a] as Jesus[b] was starting out on his way, someone ran up to him, fell on his knees, and said, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”[c] 18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good?[d] No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”[e] 20 The man[f] said to him, “Teacher, I have wholeheartedly obeyed[g] all these laws[h] since my youth.”[i] 21 As Jesus looked at him, he felt love for him and said, “You lack one thing. Go, sell whatever you have and give the money[j] to the poor, and you will have treasure[k] in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 But at this statement, the man[l] looked sad and went away sorrowful, for he was very rich.[m]
23 Then[n] Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”[o] 24 The disciples were astonished at these words. But again Jesus said to them,[p] “Children, how hard it is[q] to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel[r] to go through the eye of a needle[s] than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 They were even more astonished and said[t] to one another, “Then[u] who can be saved?”[v] 27 Jesus looked at them and replied, “This is impossible for mere humans,[w] but not for God; all things are possible for God.”
28 Peter began to speak to him, “Look,[x] we have left everything to follow you!”[y] 29 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth,[z] there is no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel 30 who will not receive in this age[aa] a hundred times as much—homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, fields, all with persecutions[ab]—and in the age to come, eternal life.[ac] 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
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