Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Zayin
Remembering What God Has Said
49 Remember what you said[a] to your servant,
by which you caused me to hope.
50 This is what comforts me in my troubles:
that what you say revives me.
51 Even though the arrogant utterly deride me,
I do not turn away from your instruction.[b]
52 I have remembered your ancient ordinances, Lord,
and I take comfort in them.
53 I burn with indignation because of the wicked
who forsake your instruction.[c]
54 Your statutes are my songs,
no matter where I make my home.[d]
55 In the night I remember your name, Lord,
and keep your instruction.[e]
56 I have made it my personal responsibility
to keep your precepts.
A Promise of Restoration
36 “Now therefore,” says the Lord God of Israel, “concerning this city about which you are saying, ‘It is being given into the control of the king of Babylon by sword, famine, and plague,’ 37 I’m about to gather my people[a] from all the lands where I’ve driven them in my anger, wrath, and great indignation. I’ll bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. 38 They’ll be my people, and I’ll be their God. 39 I’ll give them one heart and one lifestyle[b] so they’ll fear me always for their own good and for the good of[c] their descendants after them. 40 I’ll make an everlasting covenant with them that I won’t turn away from doing good for them.[d] I’ll put the fear of me in their hearts so they won’t turn away from me. 41 I’ll rejoice over them to do good for them, and I’ll faithfully plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.’
42 “Indeed, this is what the Lord says: ‘Just as I’m bringing all this great disaster on this people, so I’ll bring on them all the good things that I’m promising concerning them. 43 Fields will be bought in this land about which you will say, “It is a desolate place without people or animals. It is given into the hands of the Chaldeans.” 44 People[e] will buy fields for money, sign deeds, seal them, and call witnesses in the land of Benjamin, in the areas around Jerusalem, in the towns of Judah, the towns of the hill country, the towns of the Shephelah,[f] and the towns of the Negev,[g] for I’ll restore their fortunes,’ declares the Lord.”
Advice for Rich People
5 Now listen, you rich people! Cry and moan over the miseries that are overtaking you. 2 Your riches are rotten, your clothes have been eaten by moths, 3 your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be used as evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have stored up treasures in these last days. 4 Look! The wages that you kept back from the workers who harvested your fields are shouting out against you, and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of the Heavenly Armies. 5 You have lived in luxury and pleasure on earth. You have fattened yourselves[a] for the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the one who is righteous, even though he did not rebel against you.
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