Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Book 2 (Psalms 42-72)

Psalm 42^[a]

For the music director, a well-written song^[b] by the Korahites.

Water from the Temple

47 Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple. I noticed^[a] that water was flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from under the right side of the temple, from south of the altar. ² He led me out by way of the north gate and brought me around the outside of the outer gate that faces toward the east; I noticed^[b] that the water was trickling out from the south side.

³ When the man went out toward the east with a measuring line in his hand, he measured 1,750 feet,^[c] and then he led me through water, which was ankle deep. ⁴ Again he measured 1,750 feet and led me through the water, which was now knee deep. Once more he measured 1,750 feet and led me through the water, which was waist deep. ⁵ Again he measured 1,750 feet, and it was a river I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed. ⁶ He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?”

Then he led me back to the bank of the river. ⁷ When I had returned, I noticed^[d] a vast number of trees on the banks of the river, on both sides. ⁸ He said to me, “These waters go out toward the eastern region and flow down into the rift valley; when they enter the Dead Sea,^[e] where the sea is stagnant,^[f] the waters become fresh.^{[g] 9} Every living creature that swarms where the river^[h] flows will live; there will be many fish, for these waters flow there. It will become fresh,^[i] and everything will live where the river flows. ¹⁰ Fishermen will stand beside it; from En Gedi to En Eglaim they will spread nets. They will catch many kinds of fish, like the fish of the Great Sea.^{[j] 11} But its swamps and its marshes will not become fresh; they will remain salty. ¹² On both sides of the river’s banks, every kind of tree will grow for food. Their leaves will not wither nor will their fruit fail, but they will bear fruit every month, because their water source flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.”^[k]

Exhortation to the Faithful

¹⁷ But you, dear friends—recall the predictions^[a] foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.^{[b] 18} For they said to you, “At the end of time^[c] there will come^[d] scoffers, propelled by their own ungodly desires.”^{[e] 19} These people are divisive,^[f] worldly,^[g] devoid of the Spirit.^{[h] 20} But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit,^{[i] 21} maintain^[j] yourselves in the love of God, while anticipating^[k] the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that brings eternal life.^{[l] 22} And have mercy on those who waver; ²³ save^[m] others by snatching them out of the fire; have mercy^[n] on others, coupled with a fear of God,^[o] hating even the clothes stained^[p] by the flesh.^[q]

Final Blessing

²⁴ Now to the one who is able to keep you from falling,^[r] and to cause you to stand, rejoicing,^[s] without blemish^[t] before his glorious presence,^{[u] 25} to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.