Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
41 Let your blessings reach me, O Lord.
Save me as you promised.
42 Then I will have an answer for the one who insults me
since I trust your word.
43 Do not take so much as a single word of truth from my mouth.
My hope is based on your regulations.
44 I will follow your teachings forever and ever.
45 I will walk around freely
because I sought out your guiding principles.
46 I will speak about your written instructions in the presence of kings
and not feel ashamed.
47 Your commandments, which I love, make me happy.
48 I lift my hands ⌞in prayer⌟ because of your commandments,
which I love.
I will reflect on your laws.
Wisdom’s Blessings Come from the Lord
16 The plans of the heart belong to humans,
but an answer on the tongue comes from the Lord.
2 A person thinks all his ways are pure,
but the Lord weighs motives.
3 Entrust your efforts to the Lord,
and your plans will succeed.
4 The Lord has made everything for his own purpose,
even wicked people for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone with a conceited heart is disgusting to the Lord.
Certainly, ⌞such a person⌟ will not go unpunished.
6 By mercy and faithfulness, peace is made with the Lord.
By the fear of the Lord, evil is avoided.
7 When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better a few ⌞possessions⌟ gained honestly
than many gained through injustice.
9 A person may plan his own journey,
but the Lord directs his steps.
10 When a divine revelation is on a king’s lips,
he cannot voice a wrong judgment.
11 Honest balances and scales belong to the Lord.
He made the entire set of weights.
12 Wrongdoing is disgusting to kings
because a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Kings are happy with honest words,
and whoever speaks what is right is loved.
14 A king’s anger announces death,
but a wise man makes peace with him.
15 When the king is cheerful, there is life,
and his favor is like a cloud bringing spring rain.
16 How much better it is to gain wisdom than gold,
and the gaining of understanding should be chosen over silver.
17 The highway of decent people turns away from evil.
Whoever watches his way preserves his own life.
18 Pride precedes a disaster,
and an arrogant attitude precedes a fall.
19 Better to be humble with lowly people
than to share stolen goods with arrogant people.
20 Whoever gives attention to the Lord’s word prospers,
and blessed is the person who trusts the Lord.
Eternal Life in the Kingdom(A)
16 Then a man came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good deed should I do to gain eternal life?”
17 Jesus said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you want to enter into life, obey the commandments.”
18 “Which commandments?” the man asked.
Jesus said, “Never murder. Never commit adultery. Never steal. Never give false testimony. 19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
20 The young man replied, “I have obeyed all these commandments. What else do I need to do?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, sell what you own. Give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then follow me!”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad because he owned a lot of property.
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