Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Wisdom’s Invitation

9 Wisdom has built her house; she has made it strong with seven columns.^{[a] 2} She has cooked meat, mixed wine, and put food on the table. ³ She has sent her servant girls to announce from the highest hill in the city,^{[b] 4} “Whoever needs instruction, come.” She invites all the simple people and says, ⁵ “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have prepared. ⁶ Leave your old, foolish ways and live! Advance along the path of understanding.”

Some Followers See Jesus^(A)

⁹ Jesus rose from death early on the first day of the week. He appeared first to Mary Magdalene. One time in the past Jesus had forced seven demons out of Mary. ¹⁰ After Mary saw Jesus, she went and told his followers. They were very sad and were crying. ¹¹ But Mary told them that Jesus was alive. She said that she had seen Jesus, but they did not believe her.

¹² Later, Jesus appeared to two followers while they were walking in the country. But Jesus did not look the same as before he was killed. ¹³ These followers went back to the other followers and told them what happened. Again, the followers did not believe them.

Jesus Talks to His Followers^(B)

¹⁴ Later, Jesus appeared to the eleven followers while they were eating. He criticized them because they had so little faith. They were stubborn and refused to believe the people who said Jesus had risen from death.

¹⁵ He said to them, “Go everywhere in the world. Tell the Good News to everyone. ¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved. But those who do not believe will be judged guilty. ¹⁷ And the people who believe will be able to do these things as proof: They will use my name to force demons out of people. They will speak in languages they never learned. ¹⁸ If they pick up snakes or drink any poison, they will not be hurt. They will lay their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”