Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

In Praise of the Lord

Israel's Return Home

31 The Lord says, “The time is coming when I will be the God of all the tribes of Israel, and they will be my people. ² In the desert I showed mercy to those people who had escaped death. When the people of Israel longed for rest, ³ I appeared to them^[a] from far away. People of Israel, I have always loved you, so I continue to show you my constant love. ⁴ Once again I will rebuild you. Once again you will take up your tambourines and dance joyfully. ⁵ Once again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria, and those who plant them will eat what the vineyards produce. ⁶ Yes, the time is coming when sentries will call out on the hills of Ephraim, ‘Let's go up to Zion, to the Lord our God.’”

Introduction

1 Dear Theophilus:

Many people have done their best to write a report of the things that have taken place among us. ² They wrote what we have been told by those who saw these things from the beginning and who proclaimed the message. ³ And so, Your Excellency, because I have carefully studied all these matters from their beginning, I thought it would be good to write an orderly account for you. ⁴ I do this so that you will know the full truth about everything which you have been taught.