Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
A psalm. A song for the Sabbath day.
92 Lord, it is good to praise you.
Most High God, it is good to make music to honor you.
2 It is good to sing every morning about your love.
It is good to sing every night about how faithful you are.
3 I sing about it to the music of the lyre that has ten strings.
I sing about it to the music of the harp.
4 Lord, you make me glad by your deeds.
I sing for joy about what you have done.
12 Those who do what is right will grow like a palm tree.
They will grow strong like a cedar tree in Lebanon.
13 Their roots will be firm in the house of the Lord.
They will grow strong and healthy in the courtyards of our God.
14 When they get old, they will still bear fruit.
Like young trees they will stay fresh and strong.
15 They will say to everyone, “The Lord is honest.
He is my Rock, and there is no evil in him.”
13 A wise son pays attention to what his father teaches him.
But anyone who makes fun of others doesn’t listen to warnings.
2 The good things people say benefit them.
But liars love to hurt others.
3 Those who guard what they say guard their lives.
But those who speak without thinking will be destroyed.
4 People who refuse to work want things and get nothing.
But the desires of people who work hard are completely satisfied.
5 Those who do right hate what is false.
But those who do wrong stink and bring shame on themselves.
6 Doing right guards those who are honest.
But evil destroys those who are sinful.
7 Some people pretend to be rich but have nothing.
Others pretend to be poor but have great wealth.
8 A person’s riches might save their life.
But a poor person is not able to do anything about danger.
9 The lights of godly people shine brightly.
But the lamps of sinners are blown out.
10 Where there is arguing, there is pride.
But those who take advice are wise.
11 Money gained in the wrong way disappears.
But money gathered little by little grows.
12 Hope that is put off makes one sick at heart.
But a desire that is met is like a tree of life.
Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ
12 Sin entered the world because one man sinned. And death came because of sin. Everyone sinned, so death came to all people.
13 Before the law was given, sin was in the world. This is certainly true. But people are not judged for sin when there is no law. 14 Death ruled from the time of Adam to the time of Moses. Death ruled even over those who did not sin as Adam did. He broke God’s command. But Adam also became a pattern of the Messiah. The Messiah was the one who was going to come.
15 God’s gift can’t be compared with Adam’s sin. Many people died because of the sin of that one man. But it was even more sure that God’s grace would also come through one man. That man is Jesus Christ. God’s gift of grace was more than enough for the whole world. 16 The result of God’s gift is different from the result of Adam’s sin. That one sin brought God’s judgment. But after many sins, God’s gift made people right with him. 17 One man sinned, and death ruled over all people because of his sin. What will happen is even more sure than this. Those who receive the rich supply of God’s grace will rule with Christ. They will rule in his kingdom. They have received God’s gift and have been made right with him. This will happen because of what the one man, Jesus Christ, has done.
18 So one man’s sin brought guilt to all people. In the same way, one right act made people right with God. That one right act gave life to all people. 19 Many people were made sinners because one man did not obey. But one man did obey. That is why many people will be made right with God.
20 The law was given so that sin would increase. But where sin increased, God’s grace increased even more. 21 Sin ruled and brought death. But grace rules in the lives of those who are right with God. The grace of God brings eternal life. That’s because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done.
Living a New Life in Christ
6 What should we say then? Should we keep on sinning so that God’s grace can increase? 2 Not at all! As far as sin is concerned, we are dead. So how can we keep on sinning?
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