Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
A Prayer of the poor in spirit, when he is overwhelmed, and pours out his complaint before the LORD.
1 ¶ Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me; in the day when I call, answer me speedily.
3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as in a hearth.
4 My heart is smitten and withered like grass so that I forget to eat my bread.
5 By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones cleave to my skin.
6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert.
7 I watch and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
8 My enemies reproach me all the day, and those that are mad against me are sworn against me.
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread and mingled my drink with weeping,
10 because of thine indignation and thy wrath; for thou hast lifted me up and cast me down.
11 My days are like a shadow that declines, and I am withered like grass.
12 ¶ But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever and thy remembrance unto all generations.
13 Thou shalt arise and have mercy upon Zion; for the time to favour her, the set time, is come.
14 For thy slaves love her stones and have compassion on the dust thereof.
15 So the Gentiles shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory
16 because the LORD shall have built up Zion, and he shall be seen in his glory.
17 He shall have regarded the prayer of those who are alone and destitute and not despised their prayer.
13 ¶ Blessed is the man that has found wisdom and who brings to light intelligence,
14 for the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver and the fruits thereof more than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than precious stones, and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand and in her left hand riches and honour.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those that lay hold upon her, and blessed is every one that retains her.
31 ¶ Then Jesus said to those Jews who had believed him, If ye abide in my word, ye shall be my disciples indeed;
32 and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.
33 They answered him, We are Abraham’s seed, and we have never served anyone; how sayest thou, Ye shall be set free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever commits sin is the slave of sin.
35 And the slave does not abide in the house for ever, but the Son abides for ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall set you free, ye shall be free indeed.
37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed, but ye seek to kill me because my word has no place in you.
38 ¶ I speak that which I have seen with my Father, and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
Copyright © 2013, 2020 by Ransom Press International