Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

19 The heavens declare the Glory of God, and the firmament shows the work of His Hands.

² Day unto day utters the same, and night unto night teaches knowledge.

³ There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.

⁴ Their line has gone forth through all the earth; and their words into the ends of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the Sun,

⁵ which comes forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoices like a mighty man to run his race.

⁶ His going out is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit is to the ends of the same, and nothing is hidden from the heat thereof.

⁷ The Law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul. The testimony of the LORD is sure and gives wisdom to the simple.

⁸ The Statutes of the LORD are right and rejoice the heart. The Commandment of the LORD is pure and gives light to the eyes.

⁹ The fear of the LORD is clean and endures forever. The judgments of the LORD are truth. They are righteous altogether,

¹⁰ and more to be desired than gold—yea, than much fine gold—sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

¹¹ Moreover, by them your servant is made circumspect, and in the keeping of them there is great reward.

¹² Who can understand his faults? Cleanse me from secret faults.

¹³ Keep your servant from presumptuous sins, also. Do not let them reign over me. So, shall I be upright and made clean from much wickedness.

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD my strength, and my redeemer. To him who excels. A Psalm of David.

19 In the third month following the children of Israel’s going out of the land of Egypt, on that same day, they came into the wilderness of Sinai.

² For they departed from Rephidim and came to the desert of Sinai and camped in the wilderness. It was there Israel camped before the Mount.

³ But Moses went up to God. For the LORD had called from out of the Mount to him, saying, “Thus shall you say to the House of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel,

⁴ ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. And I carried you upon eagle’s wings and have brought you to Me.

⁵ ‘Now, therefore, if you will indeed hear My voice, and keep My Covenant, then you shall be My chief treasure above all people (though all the Earth is Mine).

⁶ ‘You shall also be to Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

⁷ Then, Moses came and called for the elders of the people. And to them he proposed all these things which the LORD commanded him.

⁸ And the people all answered together, and said, “All that the LORD has commanded, we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD.

⁹ And the LORD said to Moses, “Lo, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear while I talk with you, and so that they may also believe you forever.” For Moses had told the words of the people to the LORD.

⁴ coming to Him as to a living stone, indeed rejected by man but chosen by God and precious.

⁵ You also, as living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood; to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

⁶ Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I put a Chief Cornerstone in Zion, elect and precious. And the one who believes in Him shall not be put to shame.”

⁷ Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious. But to those who are disobedient, “the Stone which the builders rejected, the same has become the Chief Cornerstone,”

⁸ and, “a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense,” to those who stumble at the Word, being disobedient. To this they were also appointed.

⁹ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are a Possession; so that you would show forth the virtues of the One Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

¹⁰ In the past, you were not a people, yet are now the people of God, who in the past were not under mercy, but now have obtained mercy.