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.

²⁴ The slothful hides his hand in the dish, and will not put it to his mouth again.

²⁵ Strike a scoffer and the foolish will beware. Rebuke the prudent and he will understand knowledge.

²⁶ He who destroys his father, or chases away his mother, is a lewd and shameful child.

²⁷ My son, hear no more the instruction that causes to err from the words of knowledge.

²⁸ A wicked witness mocks judgment. And the mouth of the wicked swallows up iniquity.

²⁹ Judgments are prepared for scoffers; and stripes for the backs of fools.

¹⁷ Even so, faith - if it has no works - is dead by itself.

¹⁸ But someone might say, “You have faith, and I have works”. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. The demons also believe it, and tremble.

²⁰ But will you understand, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

²¹ Was not our father Abraham justified through works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar?

²² Do you not see that faith worked with his works? And through works was faith made perfect?

²³ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness”. And he was called the friend of God.

²⁴ You see then how a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

²⁵ Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified through works when she had received the messengers and sent them out another way?

²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.