Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Cheth
Keeping God’s Word
57 The Lord is my inheritance;
I have given my promise to keep your word.
58 I have sought your favor with all of my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 I examined my lifestyle
and set my feet in the direction of your decrees.
60 I hurried and did not procrastinate
to keep your commands.
61 Though the ropes of the wicked have ensnared me,
I have not forgotten your instruction.[a]
62 At midnight I will get up to thank you
for your righteous ordinances.
63 I am united with all who fear you,
and with everyone who keeps your precepts.
64 Lord, the earth overflows with your gracious love!
Teach me your statutes.
Wisdom in Action
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Go, and come back.
I will pay you[a] tomorrow,”
when you have cash[b] with you.
29 Do not plan to harm your neighbor,
when he is living peacefully[c] beside you.
30 Do not bring a lawsuit against a person for no reason,
when he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a violent man,
and do not emulate his lifestyle.[d]
32 Indeed, a perverse man is utterly disgusting[e] to the Lord,
but he takes the upright into his confidence.[f]
33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
34 Though God[g] scoffs at scoffers,
he gives grace to the humble.
35 The wise will inherit honor,
but he holds fools up for ridicule.
A Rich Man Comes to Jesus(A)
18 Then an official asked Jesus,[a] “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Nobody is good except for one—God. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Never commit adultery.[b] Never murder.[c] Never steal.[d] Never give false testimony.[e] Honor your father and mother.’”[f]
21 The official[g] replied, “I have kept all of these since I was a young man.”
22 When Jesus heard this, he told him, “You still need to do one thing. Sell everything you have and give the money[h] to the destitute, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come back and follow me.” 23 But when the official[i] heard this he became sad, because he was very rich.
Salvation and Reward(B)
24 So when Jesus saw how sad he was, he[j] said, “How hard it is for rich people to get into the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into the kingdom of God.”
26 Those who were listening to Jesus[k] asked, “Then who can be saved?”
27 Jesus[l] replied, “The things that are impossible for people are possible for God.”
28 Then Peter said, “See, we have left everything we have and followed you.”
29 Jesus[m] told them, “I tell all of you[n] with certainty, there is no one who has left his home, wife, brothers, parents, or children because of the kingdom of God 30 who will not receive many times as much in this world, as well as eternal life in the age to come.”
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