Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
18 Now[a] Samuel was ministering with the favor of the Lord.[b] The boy[c] was dressed in a linen ephod. 19 His mother used to make him a small robe and bring it to him from time to time when she would go up with her husband to make the annual sacrifice. 20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife saying, “May the Lord establish[d] descendants[e] for you from this woman in place of the one that she dedicated[f] to the Lord.” Then they[g] would go to their[h] home.
Psalm 148[a]
148 Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord from the sky.
Praise him in the heavens.
2 Praise him, all his angels.[b]
Praise him, all his heavenly assembly.[c]
3 Praise him, O sun and moon.
Praise him, all you shiny stars.[d]
4 Praise him, O highest heaven,
and you waters above the sky.[e]
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for he gave the command and they came into existence.
6 He established them so they would endure;[f]
he issued a decree that will not be revoked.[g]
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
you sea creatures and all you ocean depths,
8 O fire and hail, snow and clouds,[h]
O stormy wind that carries out his orders,[i]
9 you mountains and all you hills,
you fruit trees and all you cedars,
10 you animals and all you cattle,
you creeping things and birds,
11 you kings of the earth and all you nations,
you princes and all you leaders[j] on the earth,
12 you young men and young women,
you elderly, along with you children.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty extends over the earth and sky.
14 He has made his people victorious,[k]
and given all his loyal followers reason to praise—
the Israelites, the people who are close to him.[l]
Praise the Lord!
Exhortation to Unity and Love
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy,[a] kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving[b] one another, if someone happens to have[c] a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.[d] 14 And to all these[e] virtues[f] add[g] love, which is the perfect bond.[h] 15 Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body[i] to this peace), and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ[j] dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace[k] in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Jesus in the Temple
41 Now[a] Jesus’[b] parents went to Jerusalem every[c] year for the Feast of the Passover.[d] 42 When[e] he was twelve years old,[f] they went up[g] according to custom. 43 But[h] when the feast was over,[i] as they were returning home,[j] the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His[k] parents[l] did not know it, 44 but (because they assumed that he was in their group of travelers)[m] they went a day’s journey. Then[n] they began to look for him among their relatives and acquaintances.[o] 45 When[p] they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem[q] to look for him. 46 After[r] three days[s] they found him in the temple courts,[t] sitting among the teachers,[u] listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Jesus[v] were astonished[w] at his understanding and his answers. 48 When[x] his parents[y] saw him, they were overwhelmed. His[z] mother said to him, “Child,[aa] why have you treated[ab] us like this? Look, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.”[ac] 49 But[ad] he replied,[ae] “Why were you looking for me?[af] Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”[ag] 50 Yet[ah] his parents[ai] did not understand[aj] the remark[ak] he made[al] to them. 51 Then[am] he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient[an] to them. But[ao] his mother kept all these things[ap] in her heart.[aq]
52 And Jesus increased[ar] in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people.
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