Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
61 ¶ The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to preach good tidings unto those who are cast down; to bind up the wounds of the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those that are bound;
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 to order in Zion those that mourn, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
4 ¶ And they shall build the old wastes; they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall restore the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
8 For I the LORD love that which is right, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will confirm your work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles and their offspring among the peoples; all that saw them shall acknowledge them that they are the seed which the LORD has blessed.
10 ¶ I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of saving health; he has surrounded me with the robe of righteousness; as a bridegroom he has arrayed me, and as a bride made up of his jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth her shoot and as the garden causes her seed to spring forth so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the Gentiles.
A Song of degrees.
1 ¶ When the LORD shall turn again the captivity of Zion, we shall be like those that dream.
2 Then our mouth shall be filled with laughter and our tongue with singing; then they shall say among the Gentiles, The LORD has done great things with them.
3 The LORD has done great things with us, of which we shall be glad.
4 ¶ Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
5 Those that sow with tears shall reap with joy.
6 He that goes forth and weeps, bearing the precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
46 Then Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saving Health,
48 for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden; for, behold, from now on all generations shall call me blessed.
49 For he that is mighty has done great things unto me, and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is on those that fear him from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.
54 He has received his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy
55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.
16 ¶ Always rejoice.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophecies.
21 Examine all things; retain that which is good.
22 Separate yourselves from all appearance of evil.
23 ¶ And the very God of peace sanctify you completely, that your spirit, soul, and body be preserved whole without reprehension for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that has called you, who will also do it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not the Light, but was sent to bear witness of the Light.
19 ¶ And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
20 And he confessed and denied not, but confessed, I am not the Christ.
21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he said, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No.
22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to those that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah.
24 And those who were sent were of the Pharisees.
25 And they asked him and said unto him, Why dost thou baptize then if thou art not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?
26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water, but there stands one among you, whom ye know not;
27 he it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
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