Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

¹⁰ I will have much joy in the Lord. My soul will have joy in my God, for He has clothed me with the clothes of His saving power. He has put around me a coat of what is right and good, as a man at his own wedding wears something special on his head, and as a bride makes herself beautiful with stones of great worth. ¹¹ As the earth lets its new plants grow, and as a garden causes the things planted in it to grow, in the same way, the Lord God will cause what is right and good and words of praise to grow up in front of all the nations.

Something New for Zion

62 Because of Zion I will not keep quiet. Because of Jerusalem I will not rest, until her being right with God shines like a bright light, and her being saved shines like fire. ² The nations will see that you are right and good. All kings will see your shining-greatness. And you will be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord will give. ³ You will be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, a king’s crown in the hand of your God.

The Whole World Should Praise the Lord

148 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise Him on high! ² Praise Him, all His angels! Praise Him, all His army! ³ Praise Him, sun and moon! Praise Him, all you shining stars! ⁴ Praise Him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! ⁵ Let them praise the name of the Lord! For He spoke and they came into being. ⁶ He has made them last forever and ever. He has set a Law which will not pass away.

⁷ Praise the Lord from the earth, you large sea animals and all seas, ⁸ fire and hail, snow and clouds, and wind storms, obeying His Word. ⁹ Praise the Lord, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all tall trees, ¹⁰ wild animals and all cattle, small animals that move on the ground and birds that fly, ¹¹ kings of the earth and all people, princes and all leaders of the earth, ¹² both young men and women who have never had men, and old men and children.

¹³ Let them praise the name of the Lord. For His name alone is honored. His shining-greatness is above earth and heaven. ¹⁴ He has raised up a horn for His people, praise for all who belong to Him, for the people of Israel, who are near to Him. Praise the Lord!

⁴ But at the right time, God sent His Son. A woman gave birth to Him under the Law. ⁵ This all happened so He could buy with His blood and make free all those who were held by the Law. Then we might become the sons of God. ⁶ Because you are the sons of God, He has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. The Spirit cries, “Father!” ⁷ So now you are no longer a servant who is owned by someone. You are a son. If you are a son, then you will receive what God has promised through Christ.

²² When the days were over for her to be made pure as it was written in the Law of Moses, they took Jesus to Jerusalem to give Him to the Lord. ²³ It is written in the Law of the Lord, “The first-born male born of a woman will be called holy to the Lord.” ²⁴ They were to give a gift of two turtle-doves or two young birds on the altar in worship to the Lord. This was written in the Law of the Lord.

Simeon’s Song of Thanks

²⁵ There was a man in Jerusalem by the name of Simeon. He was a good man and very religious. He was looking for the time when the Jewish nation would be saved. The Holy Spirit was on him. ²⁶ The Holy Spirit made it known to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen God’s Chosen One. ²⁷ He came to the house of God being led by the Holy Spirit. The parents took Jesus to the house of God. They came to do what the Law said must be done. ²⁸ Then Simeon took Jesus in his arms. He gave honor to Him and thanked God, saying,

²⁹ “Lord, now let me die in peace, as You have said. ³⁰ My eyes have seen the One Who will save men from the punishment of their sins. ³¹ You have made Him ready in the sight of all nations. ³² He will be a light to shine on the people who are not Jews. He will be the shining-greatness of Your people the Jews.” ³³ Joseph and the mother of Jesus were surprised and wondered about these words which were said about Jesus. ³⁴ Simeon honored them and said to Mary the mother of Jesus, “See! This Child will make many people fall and many people rise in the Jewish nation. He will be spoken against. ³⁵ A sword will cut through your soul. By this the thoughts of many hearts will be understood.”

Anna Gives Thanks for Jesus

³⁶ Anna was a woman who spoke God’s Word. She was the daughter of Phanuel of the family group of Asher. Anna was many years old. She had lived with her husband seven years after she was married. ³⁷ Her husband had died and she had lived without a husband eighty-four years. Yet she did not go away from the house of God. She served God day and night, praying and going without food so she could pray better. ³⁸ At that time she came and gave thanks to God. She told the people in Jerusalem about Jesus. They were looking for the One to save them from the punishment of their sins and to set them free.

They Return to Nazareth ^(A)

³⁹ When Joseph and Mary had done everything the Law said to do, they went back to Nazareth in Galilee. ⁴⁰ The Child grew and became strong in spirit. He was filled with wisdom and the loving-favor of God was on Him.