Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

⁵⁷ The Lord is my share. I have promised to obey Your Word. ⁵⁸ I begged for Your favor with all my heart. Show me Your love because of Your Word. ⁵⁹ I thought about my ways and turned my steps to Your Law. ⁶⁰ I hurried and did not wait to obey Your Law. ⁶¹ The ropes of the sinful are all around me, but I have not forgotten Your Law. ⁶² I will rise late in the night to give thanks to You because Your Law is right and good. ⁶³ I am a friend to all who fear You and of those who keep Your Law. ⁶⁴ The earth is full of Your loving-kindness, O Lord. Teach me Your Law.

¹¹ A word spoken at the right time is like fruit of gold set in silver.

¹² A wise man speaking strong words to a listening ear is like a piece of gold for the ear and a beautiful object of fine gold.

¹³ A faithful man who carries news is like the cold of snow at gathering time to those who send him, for he makes the spirit of his owners feel new again.

¹⁴ A man who talks much of a gift he never gives is like clouds and wind without rain. ¹⁵ When one is slow to anger, a ruler may be won over. A gentle tongue will break a bone.

¹⁶ Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, or you may become filled with it and spit it up.

¹⁷ Do not let your foot be in your neighbor’s house too much, or he may become tired of you and hate you.

¹⁸ A man who tells a lie against his neighbor is like a heavy stick or a sword or a sharp arrow.

¹⁹ In time of trouble, trusting in a man who is not faithful is like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint.

²⁰ He who sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a coat on a cold day, or like sour wine poured on soda.

²¹ If the one who hates you is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water. ²² If you do that, you will be making him more ashamed of himself, and the Lord will reward you.

⁹ Be sure your love is true love. Hate what is sinful. Hold on to whatever is good. ¹⁰ Love each other as Christian brothers. Show respect for each other. ¹¹ Do not be lazy but always work hard. Work for the Lord with a heart full of love for Him. ¹² Be happy in your hope. Do not give up when trouble comes. Do not let anything stop you from praying. ¹³ Share what you have with Christian brothers who are in need. Give meals and a place to stay to those who need it. ¹⁴ Pray and give thanks for those who make trouble for you. Yes, pray for them instead of talking against them. ¹⁵ Be happy with those who are happy. Be sad with those who are sad. ¹⁶ Live in peace with each other. Do not act or think with pride. Be happy to be with poor people. Keep yourself from thinking you are so wise. ¹⁷ When someone does something bad to you, do not pay him back with something bad. Try to do what all men know is right and good. ¹⁸ As much as you can, live in peace with all men. ¹⁹ Christian brothers, never pay back someone for the bad he has done to you. Let the anger of God take care of the other person. The Holy Writings say, “I will pay back to them what they should get, says the Lord.” ^{(A) 20} “If the one who hates you is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water. If you do that, you will be making him more ashamed of himself.” ^{(B) 21} Do not let sin have power over you. Let good have power over sin!