); Genesis 22:15-18 (God’s blessing promised again); 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 (How to love one another) (Contemporary English Version)
Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
(A psalm by the clan of Korah and for the music leader.)
God Rules the Nations
1 All of you nations,
clap your hands and shout
joyful praises to God.
2 The Lord Most High is fearsome,
the ruler of all the earth.
3 God has put every nation
under our power,
4 and he chose for us the land
that was the pride of Jacob,
his favorite.
5 God goes up to his throne,
as people shout
and trumpets blast.
6 Sing praises to God our King,
7 the ruler of all the earth!
Praise God with songs.
8 God rules the nations
from his sacred throne.
9 Their leaders come together
and are now the people
of Abraham's God.
All rulers on earth
surrender their weapons,
and God is greatly praised!
15 The Lord's angel called out from heaven a second time:
16 (A) You were willing to offer your only son to the Lord, and so he makes you this solemn promise, 17 (B) “I will bless you and give you such a large family, that someday your descendants will be more numerous than the stars in the sky or the grains of sand along the seashore. They will defeat their enemies and take over the cities where their enemies live. 18 (C) You have obeyed me, and so you and your descendants will be a blessing to all nations on earth.”
9 We don't have to write you about the need to love each other. God has taught you to do this, 10 and you already have shown your love for all his people in Macedonia. But, my dear friends, we ask you to do even more. 11 Try your best to live quietly, to mind your own business, and to work hard, just as we taught you to do. 12 (A) Then you will be respected by people who are not followers of the Lord, and you won't have to depend on anyone.
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