Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
147 Hallelujah!
It is good to sing psalms to our God.
It is pleasant to sing ⌞his⌟ praise beautifully.
2 The Lord is the builder of Jerusalem.
He is the one who gathers the outcasts of Israel together.
3 He is the healer of the brokenhearted.
He is the one who bandages their wounds.
4 He determines the number of stars.
He gives each one a name.
5 Our Lord is great, and his power is great.
There is no limit to his understanding.
6 The Lord gives relief to those who are oppressed.
He brings wicked people down to the ground.
7 Sing to the Lord a song of thanksgiving.
Make music to our God with a lyre.
8 He covers the sky with clouds.
He provides rain for the ground.
He makes grass grow on the mountains.
9 He is the one who gives food to animals
and to young ravens when they call out.
10 He finds no joy in strong horses,
nor is he pleased by brave soldiers.
11 The Lord is pleased with those who fear him,
with those who wait with hope for his mercy.
20 He has done nothing like this for any other nation.
The other nations do not know the decisions he has handed down.
Hallelujah!
Babylon’s Idols Will Go into Captivity
46 The god Bel bows down; the god Nebo stoops low.
Their statues are seated on animals and cattle.
The gods that you carry are burdens, a load for weary people.
2 These gods stoop low and bow down together.
They aren’t able to escape with heavy loads.
They go away into captivity.
3 Listen to me, descendants of Jacob,
the few people left of the nation of Israel.
I’ve carried you since your birth.
I’ve taken care of you from the time you were born.
4 Even when you’re old, I’ll take care of you.
Even when your hair turns gray, I’ll support you.
I made you and will continue to care for you.
I’ll support you and save you.
5 To whom will you compare me and make me equal?
To whom will you compare me so that we can be alike?
6 People pour gold out of their bags and weigh silver on scales.
They hire a goldsmith. He makes it into a god.
They bow down and worship it.
7 They lift it on their shoulders and carry it.
They set the idol in its place, and it stands there.
It doesn’t move from its place.
If they cry to it for help, it can’t answer.
It can’t rescue them from their distress.
8 Remember this, and take courage.
Recall your rebellious acts.
9 Remember the first events,
because I am God, and there is no other.
I am God, and there’s no one like me.
10 From the beginning I revealed the end.
From long ago I told you things that had not yet happened, saying,
“My plan will stand, and I’ll do everything I intended to do.”
11 I will call a bird of prey from the east.
I will call someone for my plan from a faraway land.
I have spoken, and I will bring it about.
I have planned it, and I will do it.
12 Listen to me, you stubborn people who are far from being righteous.
13 I’ll bring my righteousness near; it isn’t far away.
My salvation will not be delayed.
I’ll provide salvation for Zion
and bring my glory to Israel.
Jesus Heals on the Day of Rest—a Holy Day(A)
9 Jesus moved on from there and went into a synagogue. 10 A man with a paralyzed hand was there. The people asked Jesus whether it was right to heal on a day of rest—a holy day, so that they could accuse him of doing something wrong.
11 Jesus said to them, “Suppose one of you has a sheep. If it falls into a pit on a day of rest—a holy day, wouldn’t you take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Certainly, a human is more valuable than a sheep! So it is right to do good on the day of rest—a holy day.”
13 Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” The man held it out, and it became normal again, as healthy as the other.
14 The Pharisees left and plotted to kill Jesus.
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