Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he hath [a]visited (A)and [b]redeemed his people,
69 (B)And hath raised up the [c]horn of salvation unto us, in the house of his servant David,
70 (C)As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, which were since the world began, saying,
71 That he would send us deliverance from our enemies, and from the hands of all that hate us,
72 That he might show mercy towards our fathers: and [d]remember his holy covenant,
73 (D)And the oath, which he sware to our father Abraham.
74 Which was, that he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, should serve him without fear,
75 All the days of our life, in (E)holiness and righteousness [e]before him.
76 And thou, [f]babe, shalt be called the Prophet of the most High: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 And to [g]give knowledge of salvation unto his people, by the [h]remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby (F)the [i]dayspring from on high hath visited us,
79 To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of [j]peace.
13 Your words have been stout [a]against me, saith the Lord: yet ye say, What have we spoken against thee?
14 Ye have said, It is in vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his commandment, and that we walked humbly before the Lord of hosts?
15 Therefore we count the proud blessed: even they that work wickedness, are set up, and they that tempt God, yea, they are [b]delivered.
16 [c]Then spake they that feared the Lord, everyone to his neighbor, and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a [d]book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his Name.
17 And they shall be to me, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day [e]that I shall do this, for a flock, and I will [f]spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
18 Then shall you return, and discern between the righteous and wicked, between him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not.
18 [a]What then: yet Christ is preached all manner ways, whether it be under a [b]pretence, or sincerely: and I therein joy: yea, and will joy.
19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and by the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 [c]As I fervently look for, and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all confidence, as always, so now Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death.
21 For Christ is to me both in life and in death advantage.
22 [d]And whether to live in the [e]flesh were profitable for me, and what to choose I know not.
23 For I am distressed between both, desiring to be loosed and to be with Christ, which is best of all.
24 Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh, is more needful for you.
25 And this am I sure of, that I shall abide, and with you all continue, for your furtherance and joy of your faith,
26 That ye may more abundantly rejoice in JESUS CHRIST for me, by my coming to you again.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.