Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
4 O God, you have declared me perfect in your eyes;[a] you have always cared for me in my distress; now hear me as I call again. Have mercy on me. Hear my prayer.
2 The Lord God asks, “Sons of men, will you forever turn my glory into shame by worshiping these silly idols, when every claim that’s made for them is false?”
3 Mark this well: The Lord has set apart the redeemed for himself. Therefore he will listen to me and answer when I call to him. 4 Stand before the Lord in awe,[b] and do not sin against him. Lie quietly upon your bed in silent meditation. 5 Put your trust in the Lord, and offer him pleasing sacrifices.
6 Many say that God will never help us. Prove them wrong,[c] O Lord, by letting the light of your face shine down upon us. 7 Yes, the gladness you have given me is far greater than their joys at harvest time as they gaze at their bountiful crops. 8 I will lie down in peace and sleep, for though I am alone, O Lord, you will keep me safe.
3 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock daily prayer meeting. 2 As they approached the Temple, they saw a man lame from birth carried along the street and laid beside the Temple gate—the one called The Beautiful Gate—as was his custom every day. 3 As Peter and John were passing by, he asked them for some money.
4 They looked at him intently, and then Peter said, “Look here!”
5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting a gift.
6 But Peter said, “We don’t have any money for you! But I’ll give you something else! I command you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!”
7-8 Then Peter took the lame man by the hand and pulled him to his feet. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankle bones were healed and strengthened so that he came up with a leap, stood there a moment and began walking! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
9 When the people inside saw him walking and heard him praising God, 10 and realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at The Beautiful Gate, they were inexpressibly surprised!
24 And they began to argue among themselves as to who would have the highest rank in the coming Kingdom.[a]
25 Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men order their slaves around, and the slaves have no choice but to like it![b] 26 But among you, the one who serves you best will be your leader. 27 Out in the world the master sits at the table and is served by his servants. But not here! For I am your servant. 28 Nevertheless, because you have stood true to me in these terrible days,[c] 29 and because my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I, here and now, grant you the right 30 to eat and drink at my table in that Kingdom; and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.