Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
ח Khet
57 The Lord is my portion;[a](A)
I have promised to keep Your words.
58 I have sought Your favor(B) with all my heart;
be gracious to me(C) according to Your promise.
59 I thought about my ways(D)
and turned my steps back to Your decrees.
60 I hurried, not hesitating
to keep Your commands.
61 Though the ropes of the wicked(E)
were wrapped around me,
I did not forget Your instruction.(F)
62 I rise at midnight to thank You(G)
for Your righteous judgments.(H)
63 I am a friend to all who fear You,(I)
to those who keep Your precepts.
64 Lord, the earth is filled with Your faithful love;(J)
teach me Your statutes.(K)
11 A word spoken at the right time
is like gold apples on a silver tray.[a](A)
12 A wise correction to a receptive ear(B)
is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold.
13 To those who send him, a trustworthy messenger
is like the coolness of snow on a harvest day;
he refreshes the life of his masters.(C)
14 The man who boasts about a gift that does not exist
is like clouds and wind without rain.(D)
15 A ruler can be persuaded through patience,
and a gentle tongue can break a bone.(E)
16 If you find honey,(F) eat only what you need;
otherwise, you’ll get sick from it and vomit.(G)
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house;
otherwise, he’ll get sick of you and hate you.
18 A man giving false testimony against his neighbor(H)
is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.(I)
19 Trusting an unreliable person in a difficult time
is like a rotten tooth or a faltering foot.(J)
Christian Ethics
9 Love must be without hypocrisy.(A) Detest evil;(B) cling to what is good. 10 Show family affection to one another with brotherly love.(C) Outdo one another in showing honor.(D) 11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit;(E) serve the Lord.(F) 12 Rejoice in hope;(G) be patient in affliction;(H) be persistent in prayer.(I) 13 Share with the saints in their needs;(J) pursue hospitality.(K) 14 Bless those who persecute you;(L) bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice;(M) weep with those who weep. 16 Be in agreement with one another.(N) Do not be proud;(O) instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.(P) 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.(Q) Try to do what is honorable(R) in everyone’s eyes. 18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.(S) 19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His[a] wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay,(T)[b] says the Lord. 20 But
If your enemy is hungry, feed him.(U)
If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
For in so doing
you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.(V)[c]
21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.
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