Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Praise in Zion
87 The city God built stands on the holy mountains. 2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the other places of Jacob. 3 Great things are said about you, O city of God. 4 I will say that Rahab and Babylon are among those who know Me. Look, Philistia and Tyre and Ethiopia say, “This one was born there.” 5 But it will be said of Zion, “This one and that one were born in her.” And the Most High Himself will make her strong. 6 The Lord will write in the book of the people, “This one was born there.” 7 Then those who sing and those who play music will say, “All my wells of joy are in you.”
The Nations Will Be Judged
3 “In those days and at that time, I will return the riches of Judah and Jerusalem. 2 I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will judge them for what they did to My people Israel. They have sent My people out among the different nations, and have divided up My land. 3 They have drawn names to see who would get My people. They have traded a boy for a woman who sells the use of her body. And they have sold a girl for wine to drink. 4 What are you to Me, O Tyre, Sidon, and all the lands of Philistia? Are you paying Me back for something? If you are, I will be quick to pay you back! 5 You have taken My silver and My gold, and brought My riches to your places of worship. 6 You have sold the sons of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, sending them far from their land. 7 So I am going to move them from the place where you have sold them, and do to you what you have done to them. 8 I will sell your sons and daughters to the sons of Judah. And they will sell them to the Sabeans, to a nation far away.” The Lord has spoken.
Stay True During Suffering
12 Dear friends, your faith is going to be tested as if it were going through fire. Do not be surprised at this. 13 Be happy that you are able to share some of the suffering of Christ. When His shining-greatness is shown, you will be filled with much joy. 14 If men speak bad of you because you are a Christian, you will be happy because the Spirit of shining-greatness and of God is in you. 15 None of you should suffer as one who kills another person or as one who steals or as one who makes trouble or as one who tries to be the boss of other peoples’ lives. 16 But if a man suffers as a Christian, he should not be ashamed. He should thank God that he is a Christian. 17 The time has come for Christians to stand before God and He will judge. If this happens to us, what will happen to those who do not obey the Good News of God? 18 If it is hard for a man who is right with God to be saved, what will happen to the sinner? 19 So if God wants you to suffer, give yourself to Him. He will do what is right for you. He made you and He is faithful.
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