Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
For the director of music. A psalm of Asaph. A song to the tune of “Do Not Destroy.”
75 God, we praise you.
We praise you because you are near to us.
People talk about the wonderful things you have done.
2 You say, “I choose the appointed time to judge people.
And I judge them fairly.
3 When the earth and all its people tremble,
I keep everything from falling to pieces.
4 To the proud I say, ‘Don’t brag anymore.’
To sinners I say, ‘Don’t show off your power.
5 Don’t show it off against me.
Don’t talk back to me.’ ”
6 No one from east or west or north or south
can judge themselves.
7 God is the one who judges.
He says to one person, “You are guilty.”
To another he says, “You are not guilty.”
8 In the hand of the Lord is a cup.
It is full of wine mixed with spices.
It is the wine of his anger.
He pours it out. All the evil people on earth
drink it down to the very last drop.
9 I will speak about this forever.
I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.
10 God says, “I will destroy the power of all sinful people.
But I will make godly people more powerful.”
The Time of the End
12 “At that time Michael will appear. He is the great prince of the angels. He guards your people. There will be a time of terrible suffering. Things will be worse than at any time since nations began. But at that time of suffering your people will be saved. Their names are written in the book of life. 2 Many people who lie dead in their graves will wake up. Some will rise up to life that will never end. Others will rise up to shame that will never end. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the sky. Those who lead many others to do what is right will be like the stars for ever and ever. 4 But I want you to roll up this scroll, Daniel. Seal it until the time of the end. Many people will go here and there to increase their knowledge.”
5 Then I looked up and saw two other angels. One was on this side of the Tigris River. And one was on the other side. 6 The man who was dressed in linen was above the waters of the river. One of the angels spoke to him. He asked, “How long will it be before these amazing things come true?”
7 The man raised both hands toward heaven. I heard him make a promise in the name of the God who lives forever. He answered me, “Three and a half years. Then the power of the holy people will finally be broken. And all these things will come true.”
8 I heard what he said. But I didn’t understand it. So I asked, “My master, what will come of all this?”
9 He answered, “Go on your way, Daniel. The scroll is rolled up. It is sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many people will be made pure in the fire. They will be made spotless. But sinful people will continue to be evil. Not one sinful person will understand. But those who are wise will.
11 “The daily sacrifices will be stopped. And the hated thing that destroys will be set up. After that, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed are those who wait for the 1,335 days and reach the end of them.
13 “Daniel, go on your way until the end. Your body will rest in the grave. Then at the end of the days you will rise from the dead. And you will receive what God has appointed for you.”
God’s Chosen Servant
15 Jesus knew all about the Pharisees’ plans. So he left that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were sick. 16 But he warned them not to tell other people about him. 17 This was to make what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah come true. It says,
18 “Here is my servant. I have chosen him.
He is the one I love. I am very pleased with him.
I will put my Spirit on him.
He will announce to the nations that everything will be made right.
19 He will not argue or cry out.
No one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 He will not break a bent twig.
He will not put out a dimly burning flame.
He will make right win over wrong.
21 The nations will put their hope in him.” (Isaiah 42:1–4)
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