Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
8 I will listen to what God the Lord says;
he promises peace(A) to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly.(B)
9 Surely his salvation(C) is near those who fear him,
that his glory(D) may dwell in our land.
10 Love and faithfulness(E) meet together;
righteousness(F) and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness(G) looks down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed give what is good,(H)
and our land will yield(I) its harvest.
13 Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.
Israel Unrepentant
6 “Come, let us return(A) to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces(B)
but he will heal us;(C)
he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds.(D)
2 After two days he will revive us;(E)
on the third day(F) he will restore(G) us,
that we may live in his presence.
3 Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,(H)
like the spring rains that water the earth.(I)”
4 “What can I do with you, Ephraim?(J)
What can I do with you, Judah?
Your love is like the morning mist,
like the early dew that disappears.(K)
5 Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets,
I killed you with the words of my mouth(L)—
then my judgments go forth like the sun.[a](M)
6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,(N)
and acknowledgment(O) of God rather than burnt offerings.(P)
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith
2 We always thank God for all of you(A) and continually mention you in our prayers.(B) 3 We remember before our God and Father(C) your work produced by faith,(D) your labor prompted by love,(E) and your endurance inspired by hope(F) in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 For we know, brothers and sisters[a] loved by God,(G) that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel(H) came to you not simply with words but also with power,(I) with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know(J) how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us(K) and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering(L) with the joy(M) given by the Holy Spirit.(N) 7 And so you became a model(O) to all the believers in Macedonia(P) and Achaia.(Q) 8 The Lord’s message(R) rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.(S) Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned(T) to God from idols(U) to serve the living and true God,(V) 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven,(W) whom he raised from the dead(X)—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.(Y)
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