Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
The Scorching Wind of Judgment
11 At that time, it will be told this people and to Jerusalem, “A scorching wind from the barren heights in the desert is coming[a] toward my people, and it’s not for winnowing or cleansing. 12 A wind too strong for that is coming at my bidding.[b] Now I’m judging them as I speak.”
The Lord’s Complaint about His People
22 “For my people are foolish,
they don’t know me.
They’re stupid children,
they have no understanding.
They’re skilled at doing evil,
but how to do good, they don’t know.”
A Vision of Chaos
23 I looked at the earth, and it was formless and void,[a]
at the heavens, and there was no light there.
24 I looked at the mountains; they were quaking,
and all the hills moved back and forth.
25 I looked, and no people were there.
All the birds of the sky had gone.
26 I looked, and the fruitful land[b] had become a desert.
All its towns were broken down
because of the Lord,
because of his burning anger.
27 For this is what the Lord says:
“The entire land will be devastated,
but I won’t completely destroy[c] it.
28 Because of this, the land will mourn,
and the heavens above will be dark.
Because I have spoken and decided,
I won’t turn back from doing it.”
To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.
The Fool and God’s Response
14 Fools say to themselves, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt and commit evil deeds;
not one of them practices what is good.
2 The Lord looks down from the heavens upon humanity[a]
to see if anyone shows discernment as he searches for God.
3 All have turned away,
together they have become corrupt;
no one practices what is good, not even one.
4 Will those who do evil ever learn?
They devour my people like they devour bread,
and never call on the Lord.
5 There they are seized with terror,
because God is with those who are[b] righteous.
12 I thank the Messiah[a] Jesus, our Lord, who gives me strength, that he has considered me faithful and has appointed me to his service. 13 In the past I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent[b] man. But I received mercy because I acted ignorantly in my unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed toward me,[c] along with the faith and love that are in the Messiah[d] Jesus. 15 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves complete acceptance:[e]
I am the worst of them. 16 But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the worst sinner,[h] the Messiah[i] Jesus might demonstrate all of his patience as an example for those who would believe in him for eternal life. 17 Now to the King Eternal—the immortal, invisible, and only God—be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.
The Parable about the Faithful Shepherd(A)
15 Now all the tax collectors and sinners kept coming to listen to Jesus.[a] 2 But the Pharisees and the scribes kept complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable:
4 “Suppose one of you has 100 sheep and loses one of them. He leaves the 99 in the wilderness and looks for the one that is lost until he finds it, doesn’t he? 5 When he finds it, he puts it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 Then he goes home, calls his friends and neighbors together, and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I’ve found my lost sheep!’ 7 In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need to repent.”
The Story of the Diligent Housewife
8 “Or suppose a woman has ten coins and loses one of them.[b] She lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches carefully until she finds it, doesn’t she? 9 When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the coin that I lost!’ 10 In the same way, I tell you that there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
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