◀ All Reading Plans / Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary) / Malachi 4:1-2a (A day of healing for the righteous); Psalm 98 (God judges the world); 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 (Do what is right); Luke 21:5-19 (Suffering for Jesus’ sake) (New English Translation)

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November 13, 2022

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Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Daily Bible readings that follow the church liturgical year, with thematically matched Old and New Testament readings.

Duration: 1245 days

Malachi 4:1-2

4 (3:19)^[a] “For indeed the day^[b] is coming, burning like a furnace, and all the arrogant evildoers will be chaff. The coming day will burn them up,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “It^[c] will not leave them even a root or branch. ²But for you who respect my name, the sun of vindication^[d] will rise with healing wings,^[e] and you will skip about^[f] like calves released from the stall.

Psalm 98

Psalm 98^[a]

A psalm.

98 Sing to the Lord a new song,^[b]
for he performs^[c] amazing deeds.
His right hand and his mighty arm
accomplish deliverance.^[d]
²The Lord demonstrates his power to deliver;^[e]
in the sight of the nations he reveals his justice.
³He remains loyal and faithful to the family of Israel.^[f]
All the ends of the earth see our God deliver us.^[g]
⁴Shout out praises to the Lord, all the earth.
Break out in a joyful shout and sing!
⁵Sing to the Lord accompanied by a harp,
accompanied by a harp and the sound of music.
⁶With trumpets and the blaring of the ram’s horn,
shout out praises before the king, the Lord.
⁷Let the sea and everything in it shout,
along with the world and those who live in it.
⁸Let the rivers clap their hands!
Let the mountains sing in unison
⁹before the Lord.
For he comes to judge the earth.
He judges the world fairly,^[h]
and the nations in a just manner.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Response to the Undisciplined

⁶But we command you, brothers and sisters,^[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplined^[b] life^[c] and not according to the tradition they^[d] received from us. ⁷For you know yourselves how you must imitate us, because we did not behave without discipline^[e] among you, ⁸and we did not eat anyone’s food without paying.^[f] Instead, in toil and drudgery we worked^[g] night and day in order not to burden any of you. ⁹It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate.^[h] ¹⁰For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.” ¹¹For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life,^[i] not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others.^[j] ¹²Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and so provide their own food to eat.^[k] ¹³But you, brothers and sisters,^[l] do not grow weary in doing what is right.

Footnotes

2 Thessalonians 3:6 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:3.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 tn Or “unruly, out of line.” The particular violation Paul has in mind is idleness (as described in vv. 8-11), so this could be translated to reflect that.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 tn Grk “walking in an undisciplined way” (“walking” is a common NT idiom for one’s way of life or conduct).
2 Thessalonians 3:6 tc The reading “you received” (παρελάβετε, parelabete) is found predominately in Western witnesses (F G), although the support of B and the Sahidic version (along with 1505 2464) strengthens the reading considerably. The reading “they received” is found in two different forms: παρελάβοσαν (parelabosan; in א* A [D*] 0278 33) and παρέλαβον (parelabon; in א² D¹ Ψ 1175 1241 1739 1881 M). (παρέλαβον is evidently a correction of παρελάβοσαν to the more common spelling for the third person aorist form). The external evidence is divided fairly evenly, with παρελάβετε and παρελάβοσαν each having adequate support. Internal evidence leans toward “they received”: Given the second person reading, there is little reason why scribes would intentionally change it to a third person plural, and especially an archaic form at that. There is ample reason, however, for scribes to change the third person form to the second person form given that in the prior context παράδοσις (paradosis, “tradition”) is used with a relative clause (as here) with a second person verb (see 2:15). The third person form should be regarded as authentic.
2 Thessalonians 3:7 tn This is the verbal form of the words occurring in vv. 6 and 11, meaning “to act out of line, in an unruly way.”
2 Thessalonians 3:8 tn Grk “we did not eat bread freely from anyone.”
2 Thessalonians 3:8 tn Grk “but working,” as a continuation of the previous sentence. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started with the word “Instead” in the translation.
2 Thessalonians 3:9 tn Grk “an example for you to imitate us.”
2 Thessalonians 3:11 tn Grk “walking in an undisciplined way” (“walking” is a common NT idiom for one’s way of life or conduct).
2 Thessalonians 3:11 tn There is a play on words in the Greek: “working at nothing, but working around,” “not keeping busy but being busybodies.”
2 Thessalonians 3:12 tn Grk “that by working quietly they may eat their own bread.”
2 Thessalonians 3:13 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:3.

Luke 21:5-19

The Signs of the End of the Age

⁵Now^[a] while some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned^[b] with beautiful stones and offerings,^[c] Jesus^[d] said, ⁶“As for these things that you are gazing at, the days will come when not one stone will be left on another.^[e] All will be torn down!”^[f] ⁷So^[g] they asked him,^[h] “Teacher, when will these things^[i] happen? And what will be the sign that^[j] these things are about to take place?” ⁸He^[k] said, “Watch out^[l] that you are not misled. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’^[m] and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them! ⁹And when you hear of wars and rebellions,^[n] do not be afraid.^[o] For these things must happen first, but the end will not come at once.”^[p]

Persecution of Disciples

¹⁰Then he said to them, “Nation will rise up in arms^[q] against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹There will be great earthquakes, and famines^[r] and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights^[s] and great signs^[t] from heaven. ¹²But before all this,^[u] they will seize^[v] you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues^[w] and prisons. You^[x] will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. ¹³This will be a time for you to serve as witnesses.^[y] ¹⁴Therefore be resolved^[z] not to rehearse^[aa] ahead of time how to make your defense. ¹⁵For I will give you the words^[ab] along with the wisdom^[ac] that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. ¹⁶You will be betrayed even by parents,^[ad] brothers, relatives,^[ae] and friends, and they will have some of you put to death. ¹⁷You will be hated by everyone because of my name.^[af] ¹⁸Yet^[ag] not a hair of your head will perish.^[ah] ¹⁹By your endurance^[ai] you will gain^[aj] your lives.^[ak]

Footnotes

Luke 21:5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
Luke 21:5 sn The Jerusalem temple was widely admired around the world. See Josephus, Ant. 15.11 (15.380-425); J. W. 5.5 (5.184-227) and Tacitus, History 5.8, who called it “immensely opulent.” Josephus compared it to a beautiful snowcapped mountain.
Luke 21:5 tn For the translation of ἀνάθημα (anathēma) as “offering” see L&N 53.18.
Luke 21:5 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
Luke 21:6 sn With the statement days will come when not one stone will be left on another Jesus predicted the total destruction of the temple, something that did occur in a.d. 70.
Luke 21:6 tn Grk “the days will come when not one stone will be left on another that will not be thrown down.”
Luke 21:7 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of Jesus’ comments about the temple’s future destruction.
Luke 21:7 tn Grk “asked him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in English and has not been translated.
Luke 21:7 sn Both references to these things are plural, so more than the temple’s destruction is in view. The question may presuppose that such a catastrophe signals the end.
Luke 21:7 tn Grk “when.”
Luke 21:8 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
Luke 21:8 tn Or “Be on guard.”
Luke 21:8 tn That is, “I am the Messiah.”
Luke 21:9 tn Social and political chaos also precedes the end. This term refers to revolutions (L&N 39.34).
Luke 21:9 tn This is not the usual term for fear, but refers to a deep sense of terror and emotional distress (Luke 24:37; BDAG 895 s.v. πτοέω).
Luke 21:9 sn The end will not come at once. This remark about timing not only indicates that there will be events before the end, but that some time will also pass before it comes.
Luke 21:10 tn For the translation “rise up in arms” see L&N 55.2.
Luke 21:11 sn See Isa 5:13-14; 13:6-16; Hag 2:6-7; Zech 14:4.
Luke 21:11 tn This term, φόβητρον (phobētron), occurs only here in the NT. It could refer to an object, event, or condition that causes fear, but in the context it is linked with great signs from heaven, so the translation “sights” was preferred.
Luke 21:11 sn See Jer 4:13-22; 14:12; 21:6-7.
Luke 21:12 sn But before all this. Another note of timing is present, this one especially important in understanding the sequence in the discourse. Before the things noted in vv. 8-11 are the events of vv. 12-19.
Luke 21:12 tn Grk “will lay their hands on you.”
Luke 21:12 sn Some of the persecution is of Jewish origin (the synagogues). Some fulfillment of this can be seen in Acts. See the note on synagogues in 4:15.
Luke 21:12 tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
Luke 21:13 tn Grk “This will turn out to you for [a] testimony.”
Luke 21:14 tn Grk “determine in your hearts.”
Luke 21:14 tn This term could refer to rehearsing a speech or a dance. On its syntax, see BDF §392.2.
Luke 21:15 tn Grk “a mouth.” It is a metonymy and refers to the reply the Lord will give to them.
Luke 21:15 tn Grk “and wisdom.”
Luke 21:16 sn To confess Christ might well mean rejection by one’s own family, even by parents.
Luke 21:16 tn Grk “and brothers and relatives,” but καί (kai) has not been translated twice here since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
Luke 21:17 sn See Luke 6:22, 27; 1 Cor 1:25-31.
Luke 21:18 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “yet” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
Luke 21:18 sn Given v. 16, the expression not a hair of your head will perish must be taken figuratively and refer to living ultimately in the presence of God.
Luke 21:19 sn By your endurance is a call to remain faithful, because trusting in Jesus is the means to life.
Luke 21:19 tc Some significant Greek witnesses plus the majority of mss (א D L W Ψ ƒ¹ M) read the aorist imperative κτήσασθε (ktēsasthe) here, though some mss (A B Θ ƒ¹³ 33 lat sa) read the future indicative κτήσεσθε (ktēsesthe). A decision is difficult because the evidence is so evenly balanced, but the aorist imperative is the harder reading and better explains the rise of the other. J. A. Fitzmyer assesses the translation options this way: “In English one has to use something similar [i.e., a future indicative], even if one follows the [aorist imperative]” (Luke [AB], 2:1341); in the same vein, although this translation follows the aorist imperative, because of English requirements it has been translated as though it were a future indicative.
Luke 21:19 tn Grk “your souls,” but ψυχή (psuchē) is frequently used of one’s physical life. In light of v. 16 that does not seem to be the case here. The entire phrase could be taken as an idiom meaning “you will save yourselves” (L&N 21.20), or (as in v. 18) this could refer to living ultimately in the presence of God.

New English Translation (NET)

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Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Footnotes

Psalm 98[a]

A psalm.

Footnotes

Response to the Undisciplined

Footnotes

The Signs of the End of the Age

Persecution of Disciples

Footnotes

Psalm 98^[a]