Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 106
1 Hallelujah!
Give thanks to Yahweh because he is good,
because his mercy endures forever.
2 Who can speak about all the mighty things Yahweh has done?
Who can announce all the things for which he is worthy of praise?
3 Blessed are those who defend justice
and do what is right at all times.
4 Remember me, O Yahweh, when you show favor to your people.
Come to help me with your salvation
5 so that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones,
find joy in our people’s happiness,
and brag with the people who belong to you.
6 We have sinned, and so did our ancestors.
We have done wrong.
We are guilty.
19 At Mount Horeb they made a statue of a calf.
They worshiped an idol made of metal.
20 They traded their glorious God[a]
for the statue of a bull that eats grass.
21 They forgot El, their savior,
the one who did spectacular things in Egypt,
22 miracles in the land of Ham,
and terrifying things at the Red Sea.
23 El said he was going to destroy them,
but Moses, his chosen one, stood in his way
to prevent him from exterminating them.
The Promise Sealed with Blood
24 Yahweh said to Moses, “You and Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 of Israel’s leaders come up the mountain to me and worship at a distance. 2 Moses may come near Yahweh, but the others may not. The people must not come along with Moses.”
3 Moses went and told the people all Yahweh’s words and legal decisions. Then all the people answered with one voice, “We will do everything Yahweh has told us to do.” 4 So Moses wrote down all Yahweh’s words.
Early the next morning he built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up 12 sacred stones for the 12 tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent young Israelite men, and they sacrificed bulls as burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to Yahweh. 6 Moses took half of the blood and put it into bowls, and he threw the other half against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Lord’s Promise[a] and read it while the people listened. They said, “We will obey and do everything Yahweh has said.”
8 Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people and said, “Here is the blood which seals the promise that Yahweh has made to you based on everything you have just heard.”
Instructions for Spiritual Leaders
5 I appeal to your spiritual leaders.[a] I make this appeal as a spiritual leader who also witnessed Christ’s sufferings and will share in the glory that will be revealed. 2 Be shepherds over the flock God has entrusted to you. Watch over it as God does: Don’t do this because you have to, but because you want to. Don’t do it out of greed, but out of a desire to serve. 3 Don’t be rulers over the people entrusted to you, but be examples for the flock to follow. 4 Then, when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Instructions for Christians
5 Young people, in a similar way, place yourselves under the authority of spiritual leaders.
Furthermore, all of you must serve each other with humility, because God opposes the arrogant but favors the humble.
Farewell
12 I’ve written this short letter to you and I’m sending it by Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother. I’ve written to encourage you and to testify that this is God’s genuine good will.[a] Remain firmly established in it!
13 Your sister church in Babylon, chosen by God, and my son Mark send you greetings. 14 Greet each other with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
The Names of God Bible (without notes) © 2011 by Baker Publishing Group.