Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
The Bronze Snake
4 Then they set out from Mount Hor by way of the Red Sea to bypass the land of Edom, but the people[a] became impatient because of the journey. 5 The people spoke against God and Moses: “Why have you led us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!” 6 Then the Lord sent poisonous[b][c] snakes among the people, and they bit them so that many Israelites died.(A)
7 The people then came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Intercede with the Lord so that He will take the snakes away from us.” And Moses interceded for the people.
8 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake image and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will recover.”(B) 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever someone was bitten, and he looked at the bronze snake, he recovered.
BOOK V
(Psalms 107–150)
Psalm 107
Thanksgiving for God’s Deliverance
17 Fools suffered affliction
because of their rebellious ways and their sins.(A)
18 They loathed all food
and came near the gates of death.(B)
19 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
He saved them from their distress.(C)
20 He sent His word and healed them;
He rescued them from the Pit.(D)
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord
for His faithful love
and His wonderful works for all humanity.(E)
22 Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving
and announce His works with shouts of joy.(F)
From Death to Life
2 And you were dead(A) in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world,(B) according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens,[a](C) the spirit(D) now working in the disobedient.[b] 3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly(E) desires, carrying out the inclinations(F) of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath(G) as the others were also. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy,(H) because of His great love(I) that He had for us,[c] 5 made us alive(J) with the Messiah even though we were dead(K) in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 6 Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens,(L) 7 so that in the coming ages(M) He might display the immeasurable riches(N) of His grace through His kindness(O) to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For you are saved by grace(P) through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are His creation, created(Q) in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time(R) so that we should walk in them.
14 Just as Moses(A) lifted up the snake in the wilderness,(B) so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in Him will[a] have eternal life.(C)
16 “For God loved(D) the world in this way:[b] He gave His One and Only(E) Son,(F) so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.(G) 17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn(H) the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned,(I) because he has not believed in the name(J) of the One and Only Son(K) of God.
19 “This, then, is the judgment: The light(L) has come into the world,(M) and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who practices wicked things hates(N) the light and avoids it,[c] so that his deeds(O) may not be exposed. 21 But anyone who lives by[d] the truth comes to the light, so that his works(P) may be shown to be accomplished by God.”[e]
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