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Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Daily Bible readings that follow the church liturgical year, with sequential stories told across multiple weeks.
Duration: 1245 days
International Standard Version (ISV)
Version
Psalm 61

To the Director: A composition[a] by David for stringed instruments.

A Prayer for God’s Protection

61 God, hear my cry;
    pay attention to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to you
    whenever my heart is overwhelmed.
        Place me on the rock that’s too high for me.
For you have been a refuge for me,
    a tower of strength before the enemy.
Let me make my home in your tent forever;
    let me hide under the shelter of your wings.
Interlude

For you, God, have heard my promises;
    you have assigned to me[b] the heritage of those who fear your name.

Add day after day to the king’s life;
    may his years continue[c] for many generations.
May he be enthroned before God forever;
    Appoint your[d] gracious love and truth to guard him.

So I will sing songs to your name forever;
    I will fulfill my promises day by day.

2 Samuel 7:18-29

David’s Prayer(A)

18 Then King David went in to the presence of the Lord, sat down, and said:

“Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family,[a] that you have brought me to this? 19 And this is still a small thing to you, Lord God—you also have spoken about the future of your servant’s house, and this is the charter[b] for mankind, O Lord God!

20 “What more can David say to you, and you surely know your servant, Lord God. 21 For the sake of your word and consistent with your desire,[c] you have done all of these great things, informing your servant. 22 And therefore you are great, Lord God, there is no one like you, there is no God except for you, just as we’ve heard with our own ears.

23 “And who is like your people, like Israel, the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, to make a name for himself, and to carry out for them great and awe-inspiring accomplishments, driving out nations and their gods in front of your people, whom you redeemed to yourself from Egypt? 24 You have prepared your people Israel to be your very own people for ever, and you, Lord, have become their God!

25 “And now, Lord God, let what you have spoken concerning your servant and his household be done—and let it be done just as you’ve promised. 26 May your name be made great forever with the result that it is said that the Lord of the Heavenly Armies is God over Israel, and that the household of your servant David may be established before you. 27 For you, Lord of the Heavenly Armies, the God of Israel, have revealed this to your servant, telling him, ‘I will build a dynasty for you,’ so that your servant has found fortitude[d] to pray this prayer to you.

28 “Now therefore, Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have spoken to your servant these good things. 29 So may it please you to bless the household of your servant, so that it might remain forever in your presence, because you, Lord God, have spoken, and from your blessing may the household of your servant be blessed forever.”

Hebrews 13:17-25

17 Continue to follow and be submissive to your leaders, since they are watching over your souls as those who will have to give a word of explanation. By doing this, you will be letting them carry out their duties joyfully, and not with grief, for that would be harmful for you.

18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I especially ask you to do this so that I may be brought back to you sooner.

20 Now may the God of peace, who by the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good[a] to do his will, accomplishing in us[b] what pleases him through Jesus, the Messiah.[c] To him be glory forever and ever![d] Amen.

Final Greeting

22 I urge you, brothers, to listen patiently to my encouraging message,[e] for I have written you a short letter.[f] 23 You should know that our brother Timothy has been set free. If he comes soon, he will be with me when I see you.

24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who are from Italy greet you.

25 May grace be with all of you![g]

International Standard Version (ISV)

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