Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord
A Song of (A)Ascents.
126 When the Lord (B)restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who (C)dream.
2 Then our (D)mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
(E)“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 (F)Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
3 (A)Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
4 Say to those who have an anxious heart,
“Be strong; fear not!
(B)Behold, your God
will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
He will come and save you.”
5 (C)Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
6 (D)then shall the lame man leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
(E)For waters break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
7 (F)the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
in the haunt of (G)jackals, where they lie down,
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
Messengers from John the Baptist
18 (A)(B)The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, 19 calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one (C)who is to come, or (D)shall we look for another?” 20 And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one (E)who is to come, or (F)shall we look for another?’” 21 In that hour (G)he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and (H)on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: (I)the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, (J)lepers[a] are cleansed, and (K)the deaf hear, (L)the dead are raised up, (M)the poor have good news preached to them. 23 And blessed is the one who is (N)not offended by me.”
24 When John's messengers had gone, Jesus[b] began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out (O)into the wilderness to see? (P)A reed shaken by the wind? 25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings' courts. 26 What then did you go out to see? (Q)A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written,
(R)“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 ((S)When all the people heard this, and (T)the tax collectors too, they declared God just,[c] (U)having been baptized with (V)the baptism of John, 30 (W)but the Pharisees and (X)the lawyers (Y)rejected (Z)the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.