Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
The Lord Reaffirms His Covenant with David, Israel, and Levi
14 “I, the Lord, affirm:[a] ‘The time will certainly come when I will fulfill my gracious promise concerning the nations of Israel and Judah.[b] 15 In those days and at that time I will raise up for them a righteous descendant[c] of David.
“‘He will do what is just and right in the land. 16 Under his rule Judah will enjoy safety[d] and Jerusalem will live in security. At that time Jerusalem will be called “The Lord has provided us with justice.”[e]
Psalm 25[a]
By David.
25 O Lord, I come before you in prayer.[b]
2 My God, I trust in you.
Please do not let me be humiliated;
do not let my enemies triumphantly rejoice over me.
3 Certainly none who rely on you will be humiliated.
Those who deal in treachery will be thwarted[c] and humiliated.
4 Make me understand your ways, O Lord.
Teach me your paths.[d]
5 Guide me into your truth[e] and teach me.
For you are the God who delivers me;
on you I rely all day long.
6 Remember[f] your compassionate and faithful deeds, O Lord,
for you have always acted in this manner.[g]
7 Do not hold against me[h] the sins of my youth[i] or my rebellious acts.
Because you are faithful to me, extend to me your favor, O Lord.[j]
8 The Lord is both kind and fair;[k]
that is why he teaches sinners the right way to live.[l]
9 May he show[m] the humble what is right.[n]
May he teach[o] the humble his way.
10 The Lord always proves faithful and reliable[p]
to those who follow the demands of his covenant.[q]
9 For how can we thank God enough for you,[a] for all the joy we feel[b] because of you before our God? 10 We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person[c] and make up what may be lacking in your faith.
11 Now may God our Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you, 13 so that your hearts are strengthened in holiness to be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.[d]
The Arrival of the Son of Man
25 “And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars,[a] and on the earth nations will be in distress,[b] anxious[c] over the roaring of the sea and the surging waves. 26 People will be fainting from fear[d] and from the expectation of what is coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.[e] 27 Then[f] they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud[g] with power and great glory. 28 But when these things[h] begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption[i] is drawing near.”
The Parable of the Fig Tree
29 Then[j] he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the other trees.[k] 30 When they sprout leaves, you see[l] for yourselves and know that summer is now near. 31 So also you, when you see these things happening, know[m] that the kingdom of God[n] is near. 32 I tell you the truth,[o] this generation[p] will not pass away until all these things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.[q]
Be Ready!
34 “But be on your guard[r] so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day close down upon you suddenly like a trap.[s] 35 For[t] it will overtake[u] all who live on the face of the whole earth.[v] 36 But stay alert at all times,[w] praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must[x] happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
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