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

⁹ “Publish this among the Gentiles: ‘Prepare war! Wake up the mighty men! Let all the men of war draw near and come up.

¹⁰ ‘Break your plowshares into swords, and your scythes into spears. Let the weak say, “I am strong.”

¹¹ ‘Assemble yourselves and come, all you heathen, and gather yourselves together all around.’ There shall the LORD cast down the mighty men.

¹² “Let the heathen be awakened and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. For there I will sit to judge all the heathen all around.

¹³ “Put in your scythes, for the harvest is ripe. Come. Go down. For the winepress is full. Indeed, the winepresses run over, for their wickedness is great.”

¹⁴ O multitude! O multitude! Come into the valley of threshing! For the Day of the LORD is near in the valley of threshing!

¹⁵ The Sun and Moon shall be darkened. And the stars shall withdraw their light.

¹⁶ Also, the LORD shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem. And the heavens and the Earth shall shake. But the LORD will be the hope of His people and the strength of the children of Israel.

5 I encourage the elders among you. I am also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a partaker of the Glory that shall be revealed.

² Feed the flock of God which depends on you. Care for it - not by compulsion, but voluntarily; not greedily, but eagerly;

³ not as though you were Lords over God’s estate, but that you may be examples to the flock.

⁴ And when that chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive an incorruptible crown of Glory.

⁵ Likewise, you younger people, submit yourselves to the elders. And everyone submit yourselves one to another. Clothe yourselves inwardly in humility. For “God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.”

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time.

⁷ Cast all your cares on Him. For He cares for you.

⁸ Be sober, and watch. For your adversary, the devil, walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

⁹ Steadfastly resist him in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brothers who are in the world.

¹⁰ And the God of all grace - Who has called us to His eternal Glory by Christ Jesus - will, after you have suffered a little, make you perfect; will confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

¹¹ To Him be glory and dominion, forever and ever. Amen.