Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 130
Waiting for Divine Redemption
A Song of Ascents.
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.(A)
2 Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications!(B)
3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?(C)
4 But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.(D)
David Forgives Absalom
25 Now in all Israel there was no one to be praised so much for his beauty as Absalom; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.(A) 26 When he cut the hair of his head (for at the end of every year he used to cut it; when it was heavy on him, he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head, two hundred shekels by the king’s weight.(B) 27 There were born to Absalom three sons and one daughter whose name was Tamar; she was a beautiful woman.(C)
28 So Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem without coming into the king’s presence.(D) 29 Then Absalom sent for Joab to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him. He sent a second time, but Joab would not come. 30 Then he said to his servants, “Look, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire. 31 Then Joab rose and went to Absalom at his house and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?” 32 Absalom answered Joab, “Look, I sent word to you. Come here that I may send you to the king with the question, ‘Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.’ Now let me go into the king’s presence; if there is guilt in me, let him kill me!”(E) 33 Then Joab went to the king and told him, and he summoned Absalom. So he came to the king and prostrated himself with his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom.(F)
Bear One Another’s Burdens
6 My brothers and sisters, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill[a] the law of Christ.(A) 3 For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves.(B) 4 All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride.(C) 5 For all must carry their own loads.
6 Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.(D)
7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.(E) 8 If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh, but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit.(F) 9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.(G) 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all and especially for those of the family of faith.(H)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.