Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
ח Cheth
57 The Lord is my portion;[a](A)
I have promised to keep your words.
58 I have sought your favour(B) with all my heart;
be gracious to me(C) according to your promise.
59 I thought about my ways(D)
and turned my steps back to your decrees.
60 I hurried, not hesitating
to keep your commands.
61 Though the ropes of the wicked(E)
were wrapped round me,
I did not forget your instruction.(F)
62 I rise at midnight to thank you(G)
for your righteous judgements.(H)
63 I am a friend to all who fear you,(I)
to those who keep your precepts.
64 Lord, the earth is filled with your faithful love;(J)
teach me your statutes.(K)
11 A word spoken at the right time
is like gold apples in silver settings.(A)
12 A wise correction to a receptive ear(B)
is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold.
13 To those who send him, a trustworthy envoy
is like the coolness of snow on a harvest day;
he refreshes the life of his masters.(C)
14 The one who boasts about a gift that does not exist
is like clouds and wind without rain.(D)
15 A ruler can be persuaded through patience,
and a gentle tongue can break a bone.(E)
16 If you find honey,(F) eat only what you need;
otherwise, you’ll get sick from it and vomit.(G)
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbour’s house;
otherwise, he’ll get sick of you and hate you.
18 A person giving false testimony against his neighbour(H)
is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.(I)
19 Trusting an unreliable person in a difficult time
is like a rotten tooth or a faltering foot.(J)
Christian Ethics
9 Let love be without hypocrisy.(A) Detest evil;(B) cling to what is good. 10 Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters.(C) Take the lead in honouring one another.(D) 11 Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit;[a](E) serve the Lord.(F) 12 Rejoice in hope;(G) be patient in affliction;(H) be persistent in prayer.(I) 13 Share with the saints in their needs;(J) pursue hospitality.(K) 14 Bless those who persecute you;(L) bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice;(M) weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another.(N) Do not be proud;(O) instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.(P) 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.(Q) Give careful thought to do what is honourable(R) in everyone’s eyes. 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.(S) 19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay,[b](T) says the Lord. 20 But
If your enemy is hungry, feed him.(U)
If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
For in so doing
you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.[c](V)
21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.
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