Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
8 Now I will listen to what the Lord God says.
He will give peace to his people,
to those who serve him.
But they must not turn back
to do foolish things again.
9 Yes, God will soon rescue his people who serve him.
Then we will see his glory again in our land.
10 God will be faithful to us
and he will love us with his faithful love.
His justice and his peace will join together,
like dear friends.
11 Faithful truth will grow like a plant in the ground.
Justice will look down from the sky above.[a]
12 Yes! The Lord will bless us with many good things.
Plenty of food will grow in our land.
13 Justice will go before our God,
and it will make a way for him to walk on.
The Lord has decided what he will do
3 You Israelites, listen to this message that the Lord speaks against you. This message is to all you people that he saved from Egypt. 2 He says, ‘There are many nations of people on the earth. But I chose you alone to belong to me. So I will punish you when you do wrong things.’
The prophet's work
3 If two people travel together, they have first agreed to meet together. 4 If a lion roars in the forest, it means that he has killed an animal to eat. A young lion does not shout unless he has caught something.
5 If there is no food in a trap, a bird will not fly into it. If the door of the trap closes, it means that it has caught something. 6 Also, if the people in a city hear a trumpet's sound, they become very afraid. If bad trouble comes to a city, it means that the Lord has sent it.
7 Before the Lord God decides to send trouble, he first tells his prophets about it. 8 So now the lion has roared! Everyone should be afraid! The Lord God has spoken, so his prophets must tell his message.
Samaria
9 Tell this message now in Ashdod city. Go to the strong cities in Egypt and speak the message there. Say this: ‘Come to the mountains in Samaria. Look at the cruel things that people are doing in Samaria. Many people are afraid.’ 10 The Lord says, ‘People have forgotten how to be honest. They rob people and they store valuable things in their big houses. They become rich because they are so cruel.’
11 So the Lord God says, ‘Enemies will come to attack your land. They will destroy your strong buildings. They will take all your good things from you.’
12 The Lord says, ‘When a lion catches a young sheep, the shepherd will try to save as much as he can. He might save only two legs, or a small part of an ear. It will be the same for the Israelites who live in Samaria. They will escape with only a piece of a bed, or a bit of cloth.’
Paul tells the believers to pray
2 Continue to pray seriously. Stay awake, like people who watch carefully. And remember to thank God. 3 Also pray for us. Ask God to make it possible for us to tell people his message. We want people to understand the message about Christ that was a secret before. I am now in a prison because I taught people those things. 4 Pray that I will be able to tell people this message clearly. That is what I should do.
5 When you are with people who do not believe in Christ, be careful how you live. Use every chance to do good things. 6 When you speak to people, always speak kind words. Say things that will help them. Then, when someone asks you a question, you will know how to reply.
Paul finishes his letter
7 Our Christian friend, Tychicus, will tell you all the news about me. He works hard to serve the Lord. Like me, he is the Lord's servant. 8 I want him to tell you what is happening to us, so that you will feel stronger. That is the reason why I am sending him to you. 9 Onesimus will travel with him. As you know, he is one of your own people. He is a good Christian friend who serves Christ well. Onesimus and Tychicus will tell you everything that is happening here.
10 Aristarchus is also here with me in the prison. He says ‘hello’ to you. Barnabas's cousin, Mark also says ‘hello’ to you. I have already told you about him. So, if he comes to you, be kind to him. 11 Jesus, who is also called Justus, says ‘hello’ to you, too. These three men are the only Jewish believers who are serving God with me. We work together to bring people into the kingdom of God. These men have helped me to be strong.
12 Epaphras says ‘hello’ to you. He is also one of your people, and he is Jesus Christ's servant. He always prays very strongly for you. He prays that you will continue to grow as believers. He prays that you will completely understand everything that God wants you to do. 13 I can tell you this about Epaphras: He has worked very hard for you, and also for the people at Laodicea and at Hierapolis.
14 Our good friend Luke, the doctor, says ‘hello’ to you. Demas also says ‘hello’. 15 Say ‘hello’ for me to all the believers at Laodicea. Also say ‘hello’ to Nympha and to the group of believers that meet in her house.
16 After someone has read this letter to all of you, send it to the believers at Laodicea. Tell them to read it aloud to the church there. You must also read my letter that the believers at Laodicea will send to you.
17 Say to Archippus, ‘As you serve the Lord, be careful to finish the work that he gave you to do.’
18 I, Paul, am writing these words at the end of this letter with my own hand. Remember to pray for me while I am in prison. I pray that God will continue to be very kind to you.
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