Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Zayin
Remembering What God Has Said
49 Remember what you said[a] to your servant,
by which you caused me to hope.
50 This is what comforts me in my troubles:
that what you say revives me.
51 Even though the arrogant utterly deride me,
I do not turn away from your instruction.[b]
52 I have remembered your ancient ordinances, Lord,
and I take comfort in them.
53 I burn with indignation because of the wicked
who forsake your instruction.[c]
54 Your statutes are my songs,
no matter where I make my home.[d]
55 In the night I remember your name, Lord,
and keep your instruction.[e]
56 I have made it my personal responsibility
to keep your precepts.
Jeremiah’s Prayer
16 “After I had given the deed of purchase to Neriah’s son Baruch, I prayed to the Lord: 17 ‘Lord! Look, you made the heavens and the earth with your great power and your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for you! 18 You, the great God, the mighty one, show gracious love to thousands and repay the parents’ iniquity to their children after them. The Lord of the Heavenly Armies is his name. 19 You are[a] great in regards to your purposes and mighty in regards to your works. Your eyes are open to everything that people do, and will reward each one according to their ways and just as their actions deserve.[b] 20 You are the one who performed signs and wonders in the land of Egypt and continue to do so[c] until this day, both in Israel and among the rest of humanity. You made a reputation for yourself that continues to this day.[d] 21 By your strong hand and outstretched arm, and with great terror, you brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders. 22 And you gave them this land which you had promised their ancestors that you would give them—a land flowing with milk and honey. 23 They came and took possession of it, but they didn’t obey you or walk according to your Law.[e] They didn’t do what you commanded them to do, so you caused all this calamity to happen to them. 24 Look, the siege ramps have reached the city to take it. Because of the sword, famine, and plague, the city has been given over to the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What you said has happened, and you are watching it occur![f] 25 Lord, you have told me, “Buy the field for yourself with money and call in witnesses,[g]” even though the city is being given over to the Chaldeans.’”
Prophecy of Jerusalem’s Fall
26 Then this message from the Lord came to Jeremiah: 27 “Look, I am the Lord, the God who rules over all flesh. Is anything too difficult for me?” 28 Therefore, this is what the Lord says: “I’m about to give this city into the hands of the Chaldeans and Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and he will capture it. 29 The Chaldeans who are fighting against this city will come, set this city on fire, and burn it along with the houses on whose roofs incense was burned to Baal and liquid offerings were poured out to other gods in order to provoke me. 30 Indeed, the Israelis[h] and Judeans[i] have been doing only evil in my presence since their youth. Indeed, the Israelis have done nothing but provoke me by what they have made with their hands,” declares the Lord.
31 “Indeed, this city has provoked me to anger and wrath from the day they built it until now, and so I’ll remove it[j] from my sight 32 because of all the evil that the Israelis and Judeans have done to provoke me. They, their kings, their officials, their priests, their prophets, the people of Judah, and those living in Jerusalem have done these things.[k] 33 They have turned their backs to me rather than their faces. Even though I taught them, teaching them again and again,[l] they didn’t listen to accept correction. 34 They put their detestable idols in the house that is called by my name and defiled it. 35 They built the high places of Baal that are in the Hinnom Valley[m] in order to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech—something that I didn’t command, nor did it ever enter my mind for them to require this utterly repugnant thing—and lead Judah into sin.”
The Letter to the Church in Laodicea
14 “To the messenger[a] of the church in Laodicea, write:
‘The Amen, the witness who is faithful and true, the originator of God’s creation, says this:
15 ‘I know your actions, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. 16 Since you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, “I am rich. I have become wealthy. I don’t need anything.” Yet you don’t realize that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 18 Therefore, I advise you to buy from me gold purified in fire so you may be rich, white clothes to wear so your shameful nakedness won’t show, and ointment to put on your eyes so you may see. 19 I correct and discipline those whom I love, so be serious and repent! 20 Look! I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat[b] with me. 21 I will give a place to sit with me on my throne to the one who overcomes,[c] just as I have overcome[d] and have sat down with my Father on his throne.
22 ‘Let everyone[e] listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
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