Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

³⁶ In the city of Joppa there was a disciple. Her name was Tabitha. That means Dorcas or Gazelle. She did much good work and she gave many things to the poor people.

³⁷ She became sick and died. They bathed her body and put her in a room upstairs.

³⁸ Lydda was near Joppa. When the disciples heard that Peter was at Lydda, they sent two men and asked for him to come quickly.

³⁹ Peter got up and went with them. When he got there, they took him to the room upstairs. Women whose husbands were dead stood there crying. They showed Peter the clothes and coats that Dorcas had made for them while she was with them.

⁴⁰ Peter put them all out. He kneeled down and talked to God. He turned to the body and said, `Tabitha, get up.' She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up.

⁴¹ He took her hand and helped her get up. Then he called in God's people and the women, and he gave her back to them alive.

⁴² All over Joppa people heard about this. Many people believed on the Lord.

⁴³ Peter stayed in Joppa for many days. He was with a man named Simon, who made skins into leather.

⁹ After this, I looked and saw many people. There were so many that no person could count them all. They were from every country, tribe, nation, and language. I saw them standing in front of the throne and the Lamb. They wore white clothes and they had palm branches in their hands.

¹⁰ They called in a loud voice and said, `Our God who sits on the throne, and the Lamb: they are the Ones who save people. Salvation belongs to them!'

¹¹ All the angels were standing around the throne and around the leaders and the four living beings. They bowed down their faces in front of the throne and worshipped God.

¹² They said, `May it be so! Blessing, praise, glory and wisdom, thanks, honour, power, and strength belong to our God for ever and ever! Amen!'

¹³ Then one of the leaders talked to me. He said, `Who are these people wearing white clothes? Where did they come from?'

¹⁴ Then I said to him, `Sir, I do not know.' And he said to me, `These are the people who have had much trouble. They have washed their clothes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.

¹⁵ That is why they are in front of God's throne. They worship him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will keep them safe because he is with them.

¹⁶ They will not be hungry or thirsty again. The sun or any other heat will not burn them.

¹⁷ The Lamb who is in front of the throne will take care of them. He will guide them to the places where there is water that gives life. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.'

²² At that time there was a feast in Jerusalem at the temple. It was the cold time of the year.

²³ Jesus was walking in that part of the temple called Solomon's resting place.

²⁴ The Jews came around Jesus and said, `How long will you keep us wondering about this matter? If you are really the Christ, then tell us plainly.'

²⁵ Then Jesus said, `I have already told you and you did not believe it. My Father has given me the power to do big works. These works tell you who I am.

²⁶ And yet you do not believe because you are not my sheep. I told you this before.

²⁷ My sheep listen to me. I know them. They come to me.

²⁸ I give them life that lasts for ever. They will never die. No one will take them out of my hand.

²⁹ My Father gave the sheep to me. He is greater than anyone else. No one is able to take them out of my Father's hand.

³⁰ My Father and I are one.'