Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

4 Look! The day is coming, burning like a blast furnace.^[a] All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble. The day that is coming will set them on fire, says the Lord of Armies, a day that will not leave behind a root or branch for them. ² But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness^[b] will rise, and there will be healing in its wings. You will go out and jump around like calves from the stall.

Psalm 98

Sing to the Lord a New Song

Heading
A psalm.

Invitation

Let His People Sing

Let All People Sing

Let the Whole Earth Sing

Warnings Against Idleness

⁶ We instruct you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to avoid every brother who is walking idly and not in accordance with the teaching that you received from us. ⁷ In fact, you yourselves know how necessary it is for you to imitate us, because we were not idle among you. ⁸ We never ate anyone’s bread without paying for it. Instead, with labor and hardship we worked night and day, so that we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ This was not because we lacked authority, but to provide an example for you to imitate. ¹⁰ In fact, when we were with you, this was our command to you: If anyone does not want to work, he should not eat. ¹¹ Indeed, we hear that some among you are idle, not busy working, but being busybodies. ¹² In the Lord Jesus Christ, we command and urge these people to work quietly and eat their own bread.

¹³ But you, brothers, do not grow weary of doing good.

The Destruction of Jerusalem and the End of the World

⁵ As some were talking about the temple, how it was decorated with beautiful stones and offerings, Jesus said, ⁶ “These things that you see here—the days will come when there will not be one stone left on another—every one will be thrown down.”

⁷ They asked him, “Teacher, when will these things happen? And what is the sign that these things are about to happen?”

⁸ He said, “Watch out so that you are not deceived! For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. ⁹ Whenever you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end will not be right then.”

¹⁰ Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be horrifying sights and great signs from heaven. ¹² But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, handing you over to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. ¹³ It will turn out to be your opportunity to testify. ¹⁴ So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand how to defend yourselves, ¹⁵ for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. ¹⁶ You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers,^[a] relatives, and friends. They will put some of you to death. ¹⁷ You will be hated by all people for my name’s sake. ¹⁸ But not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹ By patient endurance you will gain your lives.