Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
115 Lord, may glory be given to you, not to us.
You are loving and faithful.
2 Why do the nations ask,
“Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in heaven.
He does anything he wants to do.
4 But the statues of their gods are made out of silver and gold.
They are made by human hands.
5 They have mouths but can’t speak.
They have eyes but can’t see.
6 They have ears but can’t hear.
They have noses but can’t smell.
7 They have hands but can’t feel.
They have feet but can’t walk.
They have throats but can’t say anything.
8 Those who make statues of gods will be like them.
So will all those who trust in them.
9 All you Israelites, trust in the Lord.
He helps you like a shield that keeps you safe.
10 Priests of Aaron, trust in the Lord.
He helps you like a shield that keeps you safe.
11 You who have respect for the Lord, trust in him.
He helps you like a shield that keeps you safe.
12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us.
He will bless Israel, his people.
He will bless the priests of Aaron.
13 The Lord will bless those who have respect for him.
He will bless important and unimportant people alike.
14 May the Lord give you many children.
May he give them to you and to your children after you.
15 May the Lord bless you.
He is the Maker of heaven and earth.
16 The highest heavens belong to the Lord.
But he has given the earth to human beings.
17 Dead people don’t praise the Lord.
Those who lie quietly in the grave don’t praise him.
18 But we who are alive praise the Lord,
both now and forever.
Praise the Lord.
29 “When Aaron enters the Holy Room, he will carry the names of the sons of Israel over his heart. Their names will be on the chest cloth of decision. They will be a continuing reminder while he is serving the Lord. 30 Also put the Urim and Thummim into the chest cloth. Then they will be over Aaron’s heart when he comes to serve the Lord. In that way, Aaron will always have what he needs to make decisions for the people of Israel. He will carry the Urim and Thummim over his heart while he is serving the Lord.
More Clothes for the Priests
31 “Make the outer robe of the linen apron completely out of blue cloth. 32 In the center of the robe, make an opening for the head of the priest. Make an edge like a collar around the opening. Then it will not tear. 33 Make pomegranates out of blue, purple and bright red yarn. Sew them around the hem of the robe. Sew gold bells between them. 34 Sew a gold bell between every two pomegranates all around the hem of the robe. 35 Aaron must wear the robe when he serves as priest. The bells will jingle when he enters the Holy Room while he is serving the Lord. And they will jingle when he goes out. Then he will not die.
36 “Make a plate out of pure gold. Carve words on it as if it were an official seal. Carve the words
Set Apart for the Lord.
37 Tie the plate to the front of the turban with a blue cord. 38 Aaron must wear this plate on his forehead all the time. He will be held responsible for all the sacred gifts the Israelites set apart. Then the Lord will accept the gifts.
Paul Prays and Gives Thanks
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. 5 I am happy because you have joined me in spreading the good news. You have done so from the first day until now. 6 God began a good work in you. And I am sure that he will carry it on until it is completed. That will be on the day Christ Jesus returns.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you. I love you with all my heart. I may be held by chains, or I may be standing up for the truth of the good news. Either way, all of you share in God’s grace together with me. 8 God is my witness that I long for all of you. I love you with the love that Christ Jesus gives.
9 I pray that your love will grow more and more. And let it be based on knowledge and understanding. 10 Then you will be able to know what is best. Then you will be pure and without blame for the day that Christ returns. 11 You will be filled with the fruit of right living produced by Jesus Christ. All these things bring glory and praise to God.
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