Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

A song of thanks.

²⁵ “And I will make a peace agreement with my sheep. I will take harmful animals away from the land. Then the sheep can be safe in the desert and sleep in the woods. ²⁶ I will bless the sheep and the places around my hill. I will cause the rains to fall at the right time and will shower them with blessings. ²⁷ And the trees growing in the field will produce their fruit. The earth will give its harvest, so the sheep will be safe on their land. I will break the yokes on them and save them from the power of the people who made them slaves. Then they will know that I am the Lord. ²⁸ They will not be caught like an animal by the nations anymore. Those animals will not eat them anymore. No, they will live safely. No one will make them afraid. ²⁹ I will give them some land that will make a good garden. Then they will not suffer from hunger in that land or suffer the insults from the nations anymore. ³⁰ Then they will know that I am the Lord their God. The family of Israel will know that I am with them and that they are my people.” This is what the Lord God said!

³¹ “You are my sheep, the sheep of my grassland. You are only human beings, and I am your God.” This is what the Lord God said.

Jesus’ Followers Are His True Family^(A)

⁴⁶ While Jesus was talking to the people, his mother and brothers stood outside. They wanted to talk to him. ⁴⁷ Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are waiting for you outside. They want to talk to you.”

⁴⁸ Jesus answered, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹ Then he pointed to his followers and said, “See! These people are my mother and my brothers. ⁵⁰ Yes, anyone who does what my Father in heaven wants is my true brother and sister and mother.”