Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Believers Sharing
32 Now the large group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common.(A) 33 And the apostles were giving testimony with great power to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them.(B) 34 For there was not a needy person among them, because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,(C) 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed for each person’s basic needs.[a](D)
Psalm 133
Living in Harmony
A Davidic song of ascents.
1 How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!(A)
2 It is like fine oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down Aaron’s beard
onto his robes.(B)
3 It is like the dew of Hermon[a]
falling on the mountains of Zion.(C)
For there the Lord has appointed the blessing—
life forevermore.(D)
Prologue: Our Declaration
1 What was from the beginning,(A)
what we have heard,
what we have seen with our eyes,
what we have observed
and have touched with our hands,
concerning the Word(B) of life—
2 that life was revealed,(C)
and we have seen it
and we testify and declare to you
the eternal life that was with the Father
and was revealed to us(D)—
3 what we have seen and heard
we also declare to you,
so that you may have fellowship(E) along with us;
and indeed our fellowship is with the Father(F)
and with His Son Jesus Christ.
4 We are writing these things[a]
so that our[b] joy(G) may be complete.
Fellowship with God
5 Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light,(H) and there is absolutely no darkness in Him.(I) 6 If we say, “We have fellowship(J) with Him,” yet we walk in darkness,(K) we are lying and are not practicing[c] the truth.(L) 7 But if we walk in the light(M) as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus(N) His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say, “We have no sin,”(O) we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive(P) us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word(Q) is not in us.(R)
2 My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate(S) with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One. 2 He Himself is the propitiation(T) for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.(U)
The Disciples Commissioned
19 In the evening of that first day of the week,(A) the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews. Then Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”(B)
20 Having said this, He showed them His hands and His side.(C) So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me,(D) I also send you.”(E) 22 After saying this, He breathed on them(F) and said,[a] “Receive the Holy Spirit.(G) 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”(H)
Thomas Sees and Believes
24 But one of the Twelve, Thomas(I) (called “Twin”), was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails,(J) and put my hand into His side,(K) I will never believe!”(L)
26 After eight days His disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace to you!”
27 Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and observe My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Don’t be an unbeliever, but a believer.”(M)
28 Thomas responded to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed.[b] Those who believe without seeing(N) are blessed.”
The Purpose of This Gospel
30 Jesus performed many other signs(O) in the presence of His disciples that are not written(P) in this book.(Q) 31 But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah,(R) the Son(S) of God,[c](T) and by believing you may have life in His name.(U)
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