Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Psalm 126

A Harvest of Joy

A Song of Ascents.

The Death of Abraham

⁷ This is the length of Abraham’s life, one hundred seventy-five years. ⁸ Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, old and full of years, and was gathered to his people.^{(A) 9} His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, east of Mamre, ¹⁰ the field that Abraham purchased from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah.^{(B) 11} After the death of Abraham, God blessed his son Isaac. And Isaac settled at Beer-lahai-roi.^(C)

Chosen for Salvation

¹³ But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits^[a] for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.^{(A) 14} For this purpose he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(B) 15} So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.^(C)

¹⁶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, ¹⁷ comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.^(D)

Request for Prayer

3 Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you,^{(E) 2} and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.^{[b](F) 4} And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that we command.^{(G) 5} May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.