Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
127 1 He showeth that the whole estate of the world, both domestical and political, standeth by God’s mere providence and blessing, 3 And that to have children well nurtured, is an especial grace and gift of God.
A song of degrees, or Psalm of Solomon.
1 Except the Lord [a]build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the [b]city, the keeper watcheth in vain.
2 It is in vain for [c]you to rise early, and to lie down late, and eat the bread [d]of sorrow: but he will surely give [e]rest to his beloved.
3 Behold, children are the inheritance of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb his reward.
4 As are the arrows in the hand of the strong man; so are the [f]children of youth.
5 Blessed is the man that hath his quiver full of them: for they [g]shall not be ashamed, when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
12 1 To think on God in youth, and not to defer till age. 7 The soul returneth to God. 11 Wisdom is the gift of God, and consisteth in fearing him and keeping his commandments.
1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years approach, wherein thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them:
2 While the sun is not dark, nor the light, nor the moon, nor the stars, nor the [a]clouds return after the rain.
3 When the [b]keepers of the house shall tremble, and the [c]strong men shall bow themselves, and the [d]grinders shall cease, because they are few, and they wax dark that [e]look out by the windows:
4 And the [f]doors shall be shut without by the base sound of the [g]grinding, and he shall rise up at the voice of the [h]bird: and all the [i]daughters of singing shall be abased:
5 Also they shall be afraid of the [j]high thing, and fear shall be in the [k]way, and the almond tree shall [l]flourish, and the [m]grasshopper shall be a burden, and concupiscence shall be driven away: for man goeth to the house of his age, and the mourners go about in the street.
6 While the [n]silver cord is not lengthened, nor the golden [o]ewer broken, nor the [p]pitcher broken at the [q]well, nor the [r]wheel broken at the [s]cistern,
7 And dust return to the earth as it was, and the [t]spirit return to God that gave it.
8 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, all is vanity.
13 Let us hear the end of all: fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God will bring every work unto judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil.
22 [a]And he spake unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, (A)Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat: neither for your body, what ye shall put on.
23 The life is more than meat: and the body more than the raiment.
24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap: which neither have storehouse nor barn, and yet God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than fowls?
25 And which of you with taking thought, can add to his stature one cubit?
26 If ye then be not able to do the least thing, why take ye thought for the remnant?
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they labor not, neither spin they: yet I say unto you, that Solomon himself in all his royalty was not clothed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothe the grass which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
29 Therefore ask not what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither [b]hang you in suspense.
30 For all such things the people of the world seek for: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 [c]But rather seek ye after the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be cast upon you.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.