Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

87 God laid His foundations among the holy mountains.

² The LORD loves the gates of Zion above all the habitations of Jacob.

³ Glorious things are spoken of You, O City of God! Selah.

⁴ I will make mention of Rahab and Babel among those who know me. Behold Palestine and Tyre with Ethiopia. There He is born.

⁵ And it shall be said of Zion, “Many are born in her; and He, the Most High, shall establish her.”

⁶ The LORD shall count, when He writes the people, “He was born there.” Selah.

⁷ Both the singers and the players on instruments shall praise You, “All my springs are in You.” A song, or Psalm, of Heman the Ezrahite, to give instruction; committed to the sons of Korah for him who excels upon Mahalath Leannoth

3 “For behold, in those days and at that time, when I shall bring back the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,

² “I will also gather all nations and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for My people, and for My heritage, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations. And they parted My land.

³ “And they have cast lots for My people and have given the child for the harlot. And they sold the girl for wine, so that they might drink.

⁴ “Yea, and what have you to do with Me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the coasts of Philistia? Will you render Me a recompense? And if you recompense Me, I will swiftly and speedily render your recompense upon your head.

⁵ “For you have taken My silver and My gold and have carried My precious and pleasant things into your temples.

⁶ “Also, you have sold the children of Judah and the children of Jerusalem to the Grecians, so that you might send them far from their border.

⁷ “Behold, I will raise them out of the place where you have sold them and will render your reward upon your own head.

⁸ “And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hands of the children of Judah. And they shall send them to the Sabeans, to a people far away.” For the LORD has spoken it.

¹² Dearly beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is among you (to test you), as though some strange thing had come to you.

¹³ But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings! So that when His Glory shall appear, you may be glad and rejoice!

¹⁴ If you are railed upon for the Name of Christ, you are blessed! For the Spirit of Glory and of God rests upon you (Who on their part is blasphemed, but on your part is glorified).

¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or as a busybody.

¹⁶ But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed. But let him glorify God in this behalf.

¹⁷ For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God. If it first begins with us, what shall the end be of those who do not obey the Gospel of God?

¹⁸ “And if the righteous are scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

¹⁹ Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.