Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 19[a]
God’s Glory in Creation
1 For the director.[b] A psalm of David.
2 [c]The heavens proclaim the glory of God;
the firmament shows forth the work of his hands.
3 One day imparts that message to the next,
and night conveys that knowledge to night.
4 All this occurs without speech or utterance;
no voice can be heard.
5 [d]Yet their message goes forth throughout the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.
[e]In the heavens he has placed a tent for the sun,
6 which comes forth like a bridegroom from his wedding chamber,
rejoicing like an athlete who runs his course.
7 It rises from one end of the heavens,
and its circuit is completed at the other;
nothing can be hidden from its heat.
8 The law of the Lord is perfect,
affording refreshment to the soul.
The decree of the Lord is worthy of trust,
imparting wisdom to the simple.[f]
9 The precepts of the Lord are right,
causing the heart[g] to rejoice.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving light to the eyes.
10 The fear of the Lord[h] is pure,
destined to endure forever.
The ordinances of the Lord are true,
and all of them are just.
11 They are even more precious than gold,
than an abundance of the purest gold;
they are also sweeter than honey
that drips from the comb.[i]
12 [j]By these your servant is instructed;
obedience in following them will ensure a great reward.
13 But who can fully recognize his shortcomings?
Cleanse me of my hidden faults.
14 From willful sins preserve your servant;
never let them gain power over me.
Then I will be blameless
and innocent of serious sin.
15 Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart[k]
find favor in your sight,
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Chapter 15
The Lord Loves Anyone Whose Goal Is Righteousness[a]
1 A gentle reply turns away wrath,
but a harsh word arouses anger.
2 The tongue of the wise distills knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool utters nothing except folly.[b]
3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,[c]
keeping a close watch on the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
but an undisciplined tongue crushes the spirit.
5 A fool spurns his father’s correction,
but whoever heeds admonition is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is no lack of treasures,
but the earnings of the wicked are never secure.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
such is not true of the heart of a fool.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,[d]
but he delights in the prayer of the upright.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves anyone whose goal is righteousness.
10 Severe punishment awaits the one who strays from the right path;
whoever hates a rebuke will die.
11 The netherworld and the abyss lie open to the Lord;
how much more is this true of the human heart.[e]
12 A scoffer[f] does not like to be reproved,
and he refuses to consult the wise.
13 A glad heart makes the face cheerful,
but anguish of heart breaks one’s spirit.
14 The mind of one who is wise seeks further knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 Every day is wretched for those who are sorrowing,
but to one who is cheerful, every day is a perpetual feast.[g]
16 It is better to have a little and fear the Lord[h]
than to possess immense wealth and suffer anguish.
17 Better a dish of herbs served with love
than a fattened ox accompanied by hatred.
17 By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, 18 of whom he had been told, “Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.” 19 For he reasoned that God was able even to raise someone from the dead, and in a sense he was given back Isaac from the dead.[a] 20 By faith Isaac[b] gave his blessings to Jacob and Esau for the future.
21 By faith Jacob,[c] as he was dying, blessed each one of the sons of Joseph and bowed in worship, leaning on his staff.
22 By faith Joseph,[d] near the end of his life, mentioned the Exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his burial.
Copyright © 2019 by Catholic Book Publishing Corp. All rights reserved.