Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
Dorcas Restored to Life
36 In Joppa(A) there was a disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas.[a] She was always doing good works(B) and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became sick and died. After washing her, they placed her in a room upstairs. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him who begged him, “Don’t delay in coming with us.” 39 So Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows approached him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.(C) 41 He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her alive. 42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed on many days in Joppa with Simon,(D) a leather tanner.[b]
Psalm 23
The Good Shepherd
A Davidic psalm.
1 The Lord is my shepherd;(A)
there is nothing I lack.(B)
2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;(C)
He leads me beside quiet waters.(D)
3 He renews my life;
He leads me along the right paths[a]
for His name’s sake.(E)
4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,[b]
I fear no danger,
for You are with me;(F)
Your rod and Your staff[c]—they comfort me.(G)
A Multitude from the Great Tribulation
9 After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were robed in white with palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
Salvation belongs to our God,
who is seated on the throne,
and to the Lamb!
11 All the angels stood around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures, and they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:
Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and strength
be to our God forever and ever. Amen.
13 Then one of the elders asked me, “Who are these people robed in white, and where did they come from?”
14 I said to him, “Sir,[a] you know.”
Then he told me:
These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation.
They washed their robes and made them white(A)
in the blood of the Lamb.
15 For this reason they are before the throne of God,
and they serve Him day and night in His sanctuary.
The One seated on the throne will shelter[b] them:
16 They will no longer hunger;
they will no longer thirst;
the sun will no longer strike them,
nor will any heat.(B)
17 For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne
will shepherd them;(C)
He will guide them to springs of living waters,(D)
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.(E)
Jesus at the Festival of Dedication
22 Then the Festival of Dedication[a] took place in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 Jesus was walking in the temple complex in Solomon’s Colonnade.[b](A) 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and asked, “How long are You going to keep us in suspense?[c] If You are the Messiah,(B) tell us plainly.”[d](C)
25 “I did tell you and you don’t believe,” Jesus answered them. “The works(D) that I do in My Father’s name testify about Me. 26 But you don’t believe because you are not My sheep.[e](E) 27 My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life,(F) and they will never perish(G)—ever! No one will snatch(H) them out of My hand. 29 My Father,(I) who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”[f](J)
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