Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
A New Creation
17 “For I will create new heavens and a new earth;(A)
the past events will not be remembered or come to mind.
18 Then be glad and rejoice forever
in what I am creating;
for I will create Jerusalem to be a joy
and its people to be a delight.
19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem
and be glad in my people.
The sound of weeping and crying
will no longer be heard in her.(B)
20 In her, a nursing infant will no longer live
only a few days,[a]
or an old man not live out his days.
Indeed, the one who dies at a hundred years old
will be mourned as a young man,[b]
and the one who misses a hundred years
will be considered cursed.(C)
21 People will build houses and live in them;
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.(D)
22 They will not build and others live in them;
they will not plant and others eat.
For my people’s lives will be
like the lifetime of a tree.(E)
My chosen ones will fully enjoy
the work of their hands.
23 They will not labor without success(F)
or bear children destined for disaster,
for they will be a people blessed by the Lord
along with their descendants.(G)
24 Even before they call, I will answer;(H)
while they are still speaking, I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together,[c]
and the lion will eat straw like cattle,(I)
but the serpent’s food will be dust!(J)
They will not do what is evil or destroy
on my entire holy mountain,”(K)
says the Lord.
A Song of Praise
12 On that day you will say:
“I will give thanks to you, Lord,
although you were angry with me.
Your anger has turned away,
and you have comforted me.(A)
2 Indeed, God is my salvation;
I will trust him and not be afraid,
for the Lord, the Lord himself,
is my strength and my song.
He has become my salvation.”(B)
3 You will joyfully draw water(C)
from the springs of salvation,
4 and on that day you will say,
“Give thanks to the Lord; proclaim his name!
Make his works known among the peoples.(D)
Declare that his name is exalted.
5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things.(E)
Let this be known throughout the earth.
6 Cry out and sing, citizen of Zion,
for the Holy One of Israel(F) is among you
in his greatness.”
Warning against Irresponsible Behavior
6 Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name(A) of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister(B) who is idle and does not live[a] according to the tradition(C) received(D) from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you should imitate(E) us: We were not idle among you; 8 we did not eat(F) anyone’s food free of charge;(G) instead, we labored(H) and toiled,(I) working(J) night and day, so that we would not be a burden(K) to any of you. 9 It is not that we don’t have the right(L) to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate(M) us. 10 In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”(N) 11 For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busybodies.(O) 12 Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and provide for themselves.[b] 13 But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary(P) in doing good.
Destruction of the Temple Predicted
5 As(A) some were talking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6 “These things that you see—the days will come(B) when not one stone will be left on another that will not be thrown down.”(C)
Signs of the End of the Age
7 “Teacher,” they asked him, “so when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” (D)
8 Then he said, “Watch out that you are not deceived.(E) For many will come in my name,(F) saying, ‘I am he,’(G) and, ‘The time is near.’ Don’t follow them.(H) 9 When you hear of wars and rebellions,[a] don’t be alarmed. Indeed, it is necessary that these things take place first, but the end won’t come right away.”
10 Then he told them, “Nation will be raised up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.(I) 11 There will be violent earthquakes,(J) and famines and plagues(K) in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven.(L) 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you(M) and persecute(N) you. They will hand you over to the synagogues(O) and prisons,(P) and you will be brought before kings and governors(Q) because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to bear witness.(R) 14 Therefore make up your minds[b] not to prepare your defense ahead of time,(S) 15 for I will give you such words(T) and a wisdom(U) that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.(V) 16 You will even be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends.(W) They will kill some of you. 17 You will be hated by everyone because of my name,(X) 18 but not a hair of your head will be lost.(Y) 19 By your endurance, gain[c] your lives.(Z)
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