Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
11 “At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, ‘A searing wind(A) blows from the barren heights in the wilderness on the way to my dear[a] people. It comes not to winnow or to sift; 12 a wind too strong for this comes at my call.[b] Now I will also pronounce judgments against them.’”(B)
22 “For my people are fools;
they do not know me.
They are foolish children,
without understanding.(A)
They are skilled in doing what is evil,
but they do not know how to do what is good.”(B)
23 I looked at the earth,
and it was formless and empty.(C)
I looked to the heavens,
and their light was gone.(D)
24 I looked at the mountains,
and they were quaking;(E)
all the hills shook.
25 I looked, and there was no human being,(F)
and all the birds of the sky had fled.(G)
26 I looked, and the fertile field(H) was a wilderness.(I)
All its cities were torn down
because of the Lord
and his burning anger.(J)
27 For this is what the Lord says:
Psalm 14
A Portrait of Sinners
For the choir director. Of David.
1 The fool says in his heart, “There’s no God.”(A)
They are corrupt; they do vile deeds.
There is no one who does good.
2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the human race[a](B)
to see if there is one who is wise,
one who seeks God.
3 All have turned away;
all alike have become corrupt.
There is no one who does good,
not even one.(C)
4 Will evildoers never understand?
They consume my people as they consume bread;(D)
they do not call on the Lord.(E)
Paul’s Testimony
12 I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened(A) me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry— 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer,(B) a persecutor,(C) and an arrogant man.(D) But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 This saying is trustworthy(E) and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world(F) to save sinners”(G)—and I am the worst of them.(H) 16 But I received mercy(I) for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience(J) as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life.(K) 17 Now to the King(L) eternal,(M) immortal,(N) invisible, the only[a] God,(O) be honor(P) and glory(Q) forever and ever. Amen.(R)
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
15 All(A) the tax collectors(B) and sinners were approaching to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners(C) and eats with them.”
3 So he told them this parable:(D) 4 “What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them,(E) does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field[a] and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, 6 and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ 7 I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven(F) over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 “Or what woman who has ten silver coins,[b][c] if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the silver coin I lost!’ 10 I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels(G) over one sinner who repents.”
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