Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.
God’s Revelation in the Heavens
19 The heavens are declaring the glory of God,
and their expanse shows the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech,
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor are there words—
their voice is not heard—
4 yet their message[a] goes out into all the world,
and their words to the ends of the earth.
He has set up a tent for the sun in the heavens,[b]
5 which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
or like a champion who rejoices at the beginning of a race.
6 Its circuit is from one end of the sky to the other,
and nothing is hidden from its heat.
God’s Revelation in the Law
7 The Law of the Lord is perfect,
restoring life.
The testimony of the Lord is steadfast,
making foolish people wise.
8 The precepts of the Lord are upright,
making the heart rejoice.
The commandment of the Lord is pure,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean,
standing forever.
The judgments of the Lord are true;
they are altogether righteous.
10 They are more desirable than gold,
even much fine gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even the drippings from a honeycomb.
11 Moreover your servant is warned by them;
and there is great reward in keeping them.
12 Who can detect his own[c] mistake?
Cleanse me from hidden sin.
13 Preserve your servant from arrogant people;[d]
do not let them rule over me.
Then I will be upright[e]
and acquitted of great wickedness.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart
be acceptable in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Thoughts on the Sovereignty of God
21 A king’s heart is a water stream that the Lord controls;
he directs it wherever he pleases.
2 Every man’s lifestyle is proper in his own view,
but the Lord weighs the heart.
3 To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 A proud attitude,[a] accompanied by[b] a haughty look, is sin;
they reveal[c] wicked people.
5 Plans of the persistent surely lead to productivity,
but all who are hasty will surely become poor.
7 Devastation caused by the wicked will drag them away
because they refuse to do what is just.
8 The conduct[f] of a guilty man is perverse,
but the behavior of the pure is upright.
9 It’s better to live in a corner on the roof
than to share a house with a contentious woman.
10 The soul of the wicked craves evil;
he extends no mercy to his neighbor.
11 When a mocker is punished, the fool gains wisdom;
but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The righteous God[g] considers the house of the wicked,
bringing the wicked to ruin.
13 Whoever refuses to hear the cry of the poor
will also cry himself, but he won’t be answered.
15 Administering justice brings joy to the righteous,
but terror to those who practice iniquity.
16 Whoever wanders from the path of understanding
will end up where the dead[j] are gathered.
17 Pleasure lovers become poor;
loving wine and oil doesn’t bring riches.
Jesus’ Authority is Challenged(A)
23 Then Jesus[a] went into the Temple. While he was teaching, the high priests and the elders of the people came to him and asked, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”
24 Jesus answered them, “I, too, will ask you one question.[b] If you answer it for me, I will also tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 Where did John’s authority to baptize[c] come from? From heaven or from humans?”
They began discussing this among themselves: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask us, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From humans,’ we are afraid of the crowd, because everyone regards John as a prophet.” 27 So they told Jesus, “We don’t know.”
He in turn told them, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
The Parable about Two Sons
28 “But what do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 His son[d] replied, ‘I don’t want to,’ but later he changed his mind and went. 30 Then the father[e] went to the other son[f] and told him the same thing. He replied, ‘I will,[g] sir,’ but he didn’t go. 31 Which of the two did the father’s will?”
They answered, “The first one.”
Jesus told them, “I tell all of you[h] with certainty, tax collectors and prostitutes will get into God’s kingdom ahead of you! 32 John came to you living a righteous life,[i] and you didn’t believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. But even when you saw that, you didn’t change your minds[j] at last and believe him.”
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