Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
19 But you, Lord, don’t be far away.(A)
My strength, come quickly to help me.(B)
20 Rescue my life from the sword,(C)
my only life[a] from the power of these dogs.
21 Save me from the lion’s mouth,(D)
from the horns of wild oxen.
You answered me![b]
22 I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters;
I will praise you in the assembly.(E)
23 You who fear the Lord, praise him!(F)
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
All you descendants of Israel, revere him!(G)
24 For he has not despised or abhorred
the torment of the oppressed.(H)
He did not hide his face from him(I)
but listened when he cried to him for help.(J)
Unrighteous Leaders Condemned
9 All you animals of the field and forest,
come and eat!
10 Israel’s[a] watchmen(A) are blind, all of them,
they know nothing;
all of them are mute dogs,
they cannot bark;
they dream, lie down,
and love to sleep.
11 These dogs have fierce appetites;
they never have enough.
And they are shepherds
who have no discernment;
all of them turn to their own way,
every last one for his own profit.(B)
12 “Come, let me get some wine,
let’s guzzle some beer;
and tomorrow will be like today,
only far better!” (C)
Jewish Violation of the Law
17 Now if[a] you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law,(A) and boast in God, 18 and know his will, and approve the things that are superior,(B) being instructed from the law, 19 and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness, 20 an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having the embodiment of knowledge and truth(C) in the law— 21 you then, who teach another,(D) don’t you teach yourself? You who preach, “You must not steal”—do you steal? 22 You who say, “You must not commit adultery”—do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples?(E) 23 You who boast in the law,(F) do you dishonor God by breaking the law?[b] 24 For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.[c](G)
Circumcision of the Heart
25 Circumcision benefits you if you observe the law, but if you are a lawbreaker, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.(H) 26 So if an uncircumcised(I) man keeps the law’s requirements,(J) will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? 27 A man who is physically uncircumcised, but who keeps the law, will judge you(K) who are a lawbreaker in spite of having the letter of the law and circumcision. 28 For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly,(L) and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. 29 On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly,(M) and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter.[d](N) That person’s praise is not from people but from God.(O)
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