Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

¹ Praise the Lord!
    Happy are those who fear the Lord,
    who greatly delight in his commandments.
² Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
    the generation of the upright will be blessed.
³ Wealth and riches are in their houses,
    and their righteousness endures forever.
⁴ They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright;
    they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
⁵ It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
    who conduct their affairs with justice.
⁶ For the righteous will never be moved;
    they will be remembered forever.
⁷ They are not afraid of evil tidings;
    their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.
⁸ Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid;
    in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
⁹ They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever;
    their horn is exalted in honor.
¹⁰ The wicked see it and are angry;
    they gnash their teeth and melt away;
    the desire of the wicked comes to nothing.

⁶ A fool’s lips bring strife,
    and a fool’s mouth invites a flogging.
⁷ The mouths of fools are their ruin,
    and their lips a snare to themselves.
⁸ The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
    they go down into the inner parts of the body.
⁹ One who is slack in work
    is close kin to a vandal.
¹⁰ The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
    the righteous run into it and are safe.
¹¹ The wealth of the rich is their strong city;
    in their imagination it is like a high wall.
¹² Before destruction one’s heart is haughty,
    but humility goes before honor.