Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

⁵⁵ But being ^(A)full of the Holy Spirit, he ^(B)gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing ^(C)at the right hand of God; ⁵⁶ and he said, “Behold, I see the ^(D)heavens opened up and ^(E)the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” ⁵⁷ But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. ⁵⁸ When they had ^(F)driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and ^(G)the witnesses ^(H)laid aside their robes at the feet of ^(I)a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹ They went on stoning Stephen as he ^(J)called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” ⁶⁰ Then ^(K)falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, ^(L)do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he ^[a](M)fell asleep.

A Psalm of Complaint and of Praise.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

^2 (A)like newborn babies, long for the ^[a](B)pure ^[b]milk of the word, so that by it you may ^(C)grow ^[c]in respect to salvation, ³ if you have ^(D)tasted ^[d](E)the kindness of the Lord.

As Living Stones

⁴ And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been ^(F)rejected by men, but is ^[e]choice and precious in the sight of God, ^5 (G)you also, as living stones, ^[f]are being built up as a ^(H)spiritual house for a holy ^(I)priesthood, to ^(J)offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For this is contained in ^[g]Scripture:

^7 (M)This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve,

⁸ and,

^(Q)for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, ^(R)and to this doom they were also appointed.

⁹ But you are ^(S)a chosen race, a royal ^(T)priesthood, a ^(U)holy nation, ^(V)a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you ^(W)out of darkness into His marvelous light; ^10 (X)for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 “^(A)Do not let your heart be troubled; ^[a]believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for ^(B)I go to prepare a place for you. ³ If I go and prepare a place for you, ^(C)I will come again and receive you to Myself, that ^(D)where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And you know the way where I am going.” ^5 (E)Thomas *said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus *said to him, “I am ^(F)the way, and ^(G)the truth, and ^(H)the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Oneness with the Father

^7 (I)If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you ^(J)know Him, and have ^(K)seen Him.”

^8 (L)Philip *said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” ⁹ Jesus *said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? ^(M)He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Do you not believe that ^(N)I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? ^(O)The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. ¹¹ Believe Me that ^(P)I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise ^(Q)believe because of the works themselves. ¹² Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and ^(R)greater works than these he will do; because ^(S)I go to the Father. ^13 (T)Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that ^(U)the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask Me anything ^(V)in My name, I will do it.