Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Answer Me When I Call

To the ^(A)choirmaster: with ^(B)stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

² In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for ^(A)three weeks. ³ I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I ^(B)anoint myself at all, for ^(C)the full three weeks. ⁴ On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing ^(D)on the bank of the great river (^(E)that is, the Tigris) ^5 (F)I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, ^(G)a man clothed in linen, ^(H)with a belt of fine ^(I)gold from Uphaz round his waist. ⁶ His body was like ^(J)beryl, his face ^(K)like the appearance of lightning, ^(L)his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and ^(M)legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and ^(N)the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. ^7 (O)And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. ⁸ So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and ^(P)no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed,^{[a] (Q)}and I retained no strength. ⁹ Then I heard the sound of his words, ^(R)and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep ^(S)with my face to the ground.

¹⁰ And behold, ^(T)a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. ¹¹ And he said to me, “O Daniel, ^(U)man greatly loved, ^(V)understand the words that I speak to you, and ^(W)stand upright, for ^(X)now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. ¹² Then he said to me, ^(Y)“Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you ^(Z)set your heart to understand and ^(AA)humbled yourself before your God, ^(AB)your words have been heard, ^(AC)and I have come because of your words. ^13 (AD)The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me ^(AE)twenty-one days, but ^(AF)Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, ^14 (AG)and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people ^(AH)in the latter days. For ^(AI)the vision is for days yet to come.”

¹⁵ When he had spoken to me according to these words, ^(AJ)I turned my face towards the ground ^(AK)and was mute. ¹⁶ And behold, ^(AL)one in the likeness of the children of man ^(AM)touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and ^(AN)I retain no strength. ¹⁷ How can my lord's servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”

¹⁸ Again ^(AO)one having the appearance of a man ^(AP)touched me and strengthened me. ¹⁹ And he said, ^(AQ)“O man greatly loved, ^(AR)fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

²⁶ I write these things to you about ^(A)those who are trying to deceive you. ²⁷ But ^(B)the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and ^(C)you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and ^(D)is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Children of God

²⁸ And now, little children, abide in him, so that ^(E)when he appears ^(F)we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his ^(G)coming.