Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
A psalm by the descendants of Korah. A song.
The Holy City for All People
87 God’s[a] foundation is in the holy mountains.
2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than the dwellings of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are spoken about you,
city of God.
4 I will mention Rahab and Babylon
among those who acknowledge me—
including Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia[b]—
“This one was born there,” they say.[c]
5 Indeed, about Zion it will be said:
“More than one person[d] was born in it,” and
“The Most High himself did[e] it.”
6 The Lord will record,
as he registers the peoples,[f]
“This one was born there.”
The Lord’s Call to Judgment
9 “Declare this among the nations:
‘Prepare for war!
Wake up your elite forces!
Let all the soldiers draw near!
Call them up!
10 Beat your plow blades into swords,
and your pruning knives into spears!
Let the frail say, “I am strong!”
11 Hurry and come, all you gentiles!
Gather yourselves together!’”
“Lord, cause your mighty army[a] to come down.
12 “Let the nations be awakened
and come to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;
because I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.
13 Put in the sickle,
because the harvest is ripe.
Come and go down,
because the winepress is full.
The wine vats are overflowing,
because their evil is great!
14 “Multitudes, multitudes
in the Valley of Judgment!
For the Day of the Lord is near
in the Valley of Judgment!
15 The sun and moon will grow dark,
and the stars will stop shining.
16 “The Lord will roar from Zion,
and shout from Jerusalem.
The heavens and the earth will shake,
but the Lord will be the refuge of his people,
and the strength of the people of Israel.”
Be Shepherds of God’s Flock
5 Therefore, as a fellow elder, a witness of the Messiah’s[a] sufferings, and one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over it, not because you must but because you want to, and not greedily but eagerly, as God desires. 3 Do not lord it over the people entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock. 4 Then, when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the victor’s crown of glory that will never fade away.
Be Humble and Alert
5 In a similar way, you young people must submit to the elders.[b] All of you must clothe yourselves with humility for the sake of each other, because:
“God opposes the arrogant,
but gives grace to the humble.”[c]
6 Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time he may exalt you. 7 Throw all your worry on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent, the Devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him and be firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you by the Messiah[d] Jesus[e] to his eternal glory, will restore you, establish you, strengthen you, and support you. 11 Power belongs[f] to him forever and ever! Amen.
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