Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Israel’s Mourning Turned to Joy
31 “At that time,” declares the Lord, “I will be the (A)God of all the (B)families of Israel, and they shall be My people.”
2 Thus says the Lord,
“The people who survived the sword
(C)Found grace in the wilderness—
Israel, when it went to (D)find its rest.”
3 The Lord appeared to [a]him from afar, saying,
“I have (E)loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore I have drawn you with (F)lovingkindness.
4 “(G)Again I will build you and you will be rebuilt,
O virgin of Israel!
Again you will [b]take up your (H)tambourines,
And go forth to the dances of the (I)merrymakers.
5 “Again you will (J)plant vineyards
On the [c]hills of Samaria;
The planters will plant
And will [d]enjoy them.
6 “For there will be a day when watchmen
On the hills of Ephraim call out,
‘Arise, and (K)let us go up to Zion,
To the Lord our God.’”
Introduction
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things [a](A)accomplished among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who (B)from the beginning [b]were (C)eyewitnesses and [c](D)servants of (E)the [d]word, 3 it seemed fitting for me as well, (F)having [e]investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you (G)in consecutive order, (H)most excellent (I)Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been [f](J)taught.
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