Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Childlike Trust in God
A song for going up to worship. Of David.
131 Lord, my heart is not proud.
I don’t look down on others.
I don’t do great things,
and I can’t do miracles.
2 But I am calm and quiet.
I am like a baby with its mother.
I am at peace, like a baby with its mother.
3 People of Israel, put your hope in the Lord
now and forever.
A Song of Praise to God
26 At that time people will sing this song in Judah:
We have a strong city.
God protects us with its strong walls and defenses.
2 Open the gates,
and the good people will enter.
They follow God’s good way of living.
3 You, Lord, give true peace.
You give peace to those who depend on you.
You give peace to those who trust you.
4 So, trust the Lord always.
Trust the Lord because he is our Rock forever.
5 But the Lord will destroy the proud city.
And he will punish the people living there.
He will bring that high city down to the ground.
He throws it down into the dust.
6 Then those who were hurt by the city will walk on its ruins.
Those who were made poor by the city will trample it under their feet.
25 Epaphroditus is my brother in Christ. He works and serves with me in the army of Christ. When I needed help, you sent him to me. I think now that I must send him back to you 26 because he wants very much to see all of you. He is worried because you heard that he was sick. 27 Yes, he was sick, and nearly died. But God helped him and me too, so that I would not have more sadness. 28 So I want very much to send him to you. When you see him, you can be happy. And I can stop worrying about you. 29 Welcome him in the Lord with much joy. Give honor to people like Epaphroditus. 30 He should be honored because he almost died for the work of Christ. He put his life in danger so that he could help me. This was help that you could not give me.
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.