Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
The First Church
42 They were faithful in listening to the teaching of the missionaries. They worshiped and prayed and ate the Lord’s supper together. 43 Many powerful works were done by the missionaries. Surprise and fear came on them all. 44 All those who put their trust in Christ were together and shared what they owned. 45 As anyone had need, they sold what they owned and shared with everyone. 46 Day after day they went to the house of God together. In their houses they ate their food together. Their hearts were happy. 47 They gave thanks to God and all the people respected them. The Lord added to the group each day those who were being saved from the punishment of sin.
The Lord—Our Shepherd
23 The Lord is my Shepherd. I will have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in fields of green grass. He leads me beside the quiet waters. 3 He makes me strong again. He leads me in the way of living right with Himself which brings honor to His name. 4 Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me. You have a walking stick with which to guide and one with which to help. These comfort me. 5 You are making a table of food ready for me in front of those who hate me. You have poured oil on my head. I have everything I need. 6 For sure, You will give me goodness and loving-kindness all the days of my life. Then I will live with You in Your house forever.
19 This shows you have received loving-favor when you are even punished for doing what is right because of your trust in God. 20 What good is it if, when you are beaten for doing something wrong, you do not try to get out of it? But if you are beaten when you have done what is right, and do not try to get out of it, God is pleased. 21 These things are all a part of the Christian life to which you have been called. Christ suffered for us. This shows us we are to follow in His steps. 22 He never sinned. No lie or bad talk ever came from His lips. 23 When people spoke against Him, He never spoke back. When He suffered from what people did to Him, He did not try to pay them back. He left it in the hands of the One Who is always right in judging. 24 He carried our sins in His own body when He died on a cross. In doing this, we may be dead to sin and alive to all that is right and good. His wounds have healed you! 25 You were like lost sheep. But now you have come back to Him Who is your Shepherd and the One Who cares for your soul.
The Shepherd and the Door
10 “For sure, I tell you, the man who goes into the sheep-pen some other way than through the door is one who steals and robs. 2 The shepherd of the sheep goes in through the door. 3 The one who watches the door opens it for him. The sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name and he leads them out. 4 When the shepherd walks ahead of them, they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will not follow someone they do not know because they do not know his voice. They will run away from him.” 6 Jesus told this picture-story to them. Yet they did not understand what He said.
Jesus Is the Door
7 Again Jesus said to them, “For sure, I tell you, I am the Door of the sheep. 8 All others who came ahead of Me are men who steal and rob. The sheep did not obey them. 9 I am the Door. Anyone who goes in through Me will be saved from the punishment of sin. He will go in and out and find food. 10 The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.
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