Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

¹ It seemed like a dream
when the Lord brought us back
    to the city of Zion.^[a]
2 We celebrated with laughter
    and joyful songs.
In foreign nations it was said,
“The Lord has worked miracles
    for his people.”
³ And so we celebrated
because the Lord had indeed
    worked miracles for us.

2 While standing guard
    on the watchtower,
I waited for the Lord's answer,
before explaining the reason
    for my complaint.^[a]
2 Then the Lord told me:
“I will give you my message
    in the form of a vision.
Write it clearly enough
    to be read at a glance.
^3 (A) At the time I have decided,
    my words will come true.
You can trust what I say
    about the future.
It may take a long time,
but keep on waiting—
    it will happen!

⁵ Wine^[c] is treacherous,
and arrogant people
    are never satisfied.
They are no less greedy
    than death itself—
they open their mouths as wide
as the world of the dead
    and swallow everyone.