Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
ג Gimel
17 Deal generously with your servant(A)
so that I might live;
then I will keep your word.
18 Open my eyes so that I may contemplate
wondrous things from your instruction.
19 I am a resident alien on earth;(B)
do not hide your commands from me.
20 I am continually overcome
with longing for your judgments.(C)
21 You rebuke the arrogant,
the ones under a curse,(D)
who wander from your commands.(E)
22 Take insult and contempt away from me,(F)
for I have kept your decrees.
23 Though princes sit together speaking against me,(G)
your servant will think about your statutes;(H)
24 your decrees are my delight
and my counselors.(I)
ד Daleth
25 My life is down in the dust;(J)
give me life(K) through your word.
26 I told you about my life,
and you answered me;
teach me your statutes.(L)
27 Help me understand
the meaning of your precepts
so that I can meditate on your wonders.(M)
28 I am weary[a] from grief;
strengthen me through your word.(N)
29 Keep me from the way of deceit
and graciously give me your instruction.
30 I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set your ordinances before me.(O)
31 I cling to your decrees;
Lord, do not put me to shame.(P)
32 I pursue the way of your commands,
for you broaden my understanding.[b](Q)
First Vision: Locusts
7 The Lord God showed me this: He was forming a swarm of locusts(A) at the time the spring crop first began to sprout—after the cutting of the king’s hay. 2 When the locusts finished eating the vegetation of the land,(B) I said, “Lord God, please forgive!(C) How will Jacob survive since he is so small?” (D)
3 The Lord relented concerning this.(E) “It will not happen,” he said.
Second Vision: Fire
4 The Lord God showed me this: The Lord God was calling for a judgment by fire.(F) It consumed the great deep and devoured the land. 5 Then I said, “Lord God, please stop!(G) How will Jacob survive since he is so small?”
6 The Lord relented concerning this.(H) “This will not happen either,” said the Lord God.
27 God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ(A) in you, the hope(B) of glory. 28 We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 I labor for this, striving(C) with his strength that works powerfully in me.(D)
2 For I want you to know how greatly I am struggling(E) for you, for those in Laodicea,(F) and for all who have not seen me in person. 2 I want their hearts to be encouraged(G) and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery(H)—Christ.[a](I) 3 In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom(J) and knowledge.(K)
Christ versus the Colossian Heresy
4 I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with arguments that sound reasonable. 5 For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit,(L) rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ.
6 So then, just as you have received(M) Christ Jesus as Lord,(N) continue to walk in him, 7 being rooted and built up in him(O) and established in the faith, just as you were taught,(P) and overflowing with gratitude.
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