Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

126 When the Lord returned the captives to Zion, we were like them that dream.

² Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then said they among the heathen, “The Lord hath done great things for them.”

³ The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.

⁴ Turn back our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the South.

⁵ They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

⁶ He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

¹³ Thou wentest forth for the salvation of Thy people, even for salvation with Thine anointed. Thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by uncovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.

¹⁴ Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages; they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me; their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly.

¹⁵ Thou didst walk through the sea with Thine horses, through the heap of great waters.

¹⁶ When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice. Rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble. When he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.

¹⁷ Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines, the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat, the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls—

¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

¹⁹ The Lord God is my strength; and He will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

²⁸ “But what think ye? A certain man had two sons. And he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’

²⁹ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he repented and went.

³⁰ And he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ and went not.

³¹ Which of those two did the will of his father?” They said unto Him, “The first.” Jesus said unto them, “Verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots go into the Kingdom of God before you.

³² For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and harlots believed him. And ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.