Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

126 When the Lord returned the captives to Zion, we were like them that dream.

² Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then said they among the heathen, “The Lord hath done great things for them.”

³ The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.

⁴ Turn back our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the South.

⁵ They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

⁶ He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

² O Lord, I have heard Thy speech and was afraid; O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years. In the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.

³ God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of His praise.

⁴ And His brightness was as the light; He had horns coming out of His hand, and there was the hiding of His power.

⁵ Before Him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at His feet.

⁶ He stood and measured the earth; He beheld and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow. His ways are everlasting.

¹² It is not as though I had already attained it, nor were already perfect; but I follow after, that I may apprehend that for which Christ Jesus also apprehended me.

¹³ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended it, but this one thing I do: forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as would be perfect, be thus minded; and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

¹⁶ Nevertheless, however much we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.