Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Psalm 91

The Protection of the Most High

²³ “Am I a God who is only near”^(A)—this is the Lord’s declaration—“and not a God who is far away? ²⁴ Can a man hide himself in secret places where I cannot see him?”^(B)—the Lord’s declaration. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?”^(C)—the Lord’s declaration.

²⁵ “I have heard what the prophets who prophesy a lie in My name have said, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ ²⁶ How long will this continue in the minds of the prophets prophesying lies, prophets of the deceit of their own minds? ²⁷ Through their dreams that they tell one another, they plan to cause My people to forget My name as their fathers forgot My name through Baal worship.^{(D) 28} The prophet who has only a dream should recount the dream, but the one who has My word should speak My word truthfully, for what is straw compared to grain?”—this is the Lord’s declaration. ²⁹ “Is not My word like fire”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“and like a hammer that pulverizes rock? ³⁰ Therefore, take note! I am against the prophets”^(E)—the Lord’s declaration—“who steal My words from each other. ³¹ I am against the prophets”—the Lord’s declaration—“who use their own tongues to make a declaration. ³² I am against those who prophesy false dreams”^(F)—the Lord’s declaration—“telling them and leading My people astray with their falsehoods and their boasting. It was not I who sent or commanded them, and they are of no benefit at all^(G) to these people”—this is the Lord’s declaration.

From Death to Life

2 And you were dead^(A) in your trespasses and sins ² in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world,^(B) according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens,^[a](C) the spirit^(D) now working in the disobedient.^{[b] 3} We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly^(E) desires, carrying out the inclinations^(F) of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath^(G) as the others were also. ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy,^(H) because of His great love^(I) that He had for us,^{[c] 5} made us alive^(J) with the Messiah even though we were dead^(K) in trespasses. You are saved by grace! ⁶ Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens,^{(L) 7} so that in the coming ages^(M) He might display the immeasurable riches^(N) of His grace through His kindness^(O) to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For you are saved by grace^(P) through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— ⁹ not from works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are His creation, created^(Q) in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time^(R) so that we should walk in them.