Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Psalm 126

A Song of ^[a]Ascents.

¹ When the Lord brought back the captives [who returned] to Zion, we were like those who dream [it seemed so unreal].^(A)

² Then were our mouths filled with laughter, and our tongues with singing. Then they said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them.

³ The Lord has done great things for us! We are glad!

⁴ Turn to freedom our captivity and restore our fortunes, O Lord, as the streams in the South (the Negeb) [are restored by the torrents].

⁵ They who sow in tears shall reap in joy and singing.

⁶ He who goes forth bearing seed and weeping [at needing his precious supply of grain for sowing] shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

⁷ The days of Abraham’s life were 175 years.

⁸ Then Abraham’s spirit was released, and he died at a good (ample, full) old age, an old man, satisfied and satiated, and ^[a]was gathered to his people.^(A)

⁹ And his sons ^[b]Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is east of Mamre,

¹⁰ The field which Abraham purchased from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried with Sarah his wife.

¹¹ After the death of Abraham, God blessed his son Isaac, and Isaac dwelt at Beer-lahai-roi [A well to the Living One Who sees me].

¹³ But we, brethren beloved by the Lord, ought and are obligated [as those who are in debt] to give thanks always to God for you, because God chose you from the beginning ^[a]as His firstfruits (first converts) for salvation through the sanctifying work of the [Holy] Spirit and [your] belief in (adherence to, trust in, and reliance on) the Truth.

¹⁴ [It was] to this end that He called you through our Gospel, so that you may obtain and share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

¹⁵ So then, brethren, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions and instructions which you were taught by us, whether by our word of mouth or by letter.

¹⁶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us everlasting consolation and encouragement and well-founded hope through [His] grace (unmerited favor),

¹⁷ Comfort and encourage your hearts and strengthen them [make them steadfast and keep them unswerving] in every good work and word.

3 Furthermore, brethren, do pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may speed on (spread rapidly and run its course) and be glorified (extolled) and triumph, even as [it has done] with you,

² And that we may be delivered from perverse (improper, unrighteous) and wicked (actively malicious) men, for not everybody has faith and is held by it.

³ Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen [you] and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil [one].

⁴ And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do the things which we suggest and with which we charge you.

⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts into [realizing and showing] the love of God and into the steadfastness and patience of Christ and ^[b]in waiting for His return.