Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
19 The heavens tell about the glory of God.
The skies show that his hands created them.
2 Day after day they speak about it.
Night after night they make it known.
3 But they don’t speak or use words.
No sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into the whole earth.
Their words go out from one end of the world to the other.
God has set up a tent in the heavens for the sun.
5 The sun is like a groom leaving the room of his wedding night.
The sun is like a great runner who takes delight in running a race.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens.
Then it moves across to the other end.
Everything enjoys its warmth.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect.
It gives us new strength.
The laws of the Lord can be trusted.
They make childish people wise.
8 The rules of the Lord are right.
They give joy to our hearts.
The commands of the Lord shine brightly.
They give light to our minds.
9 The law that brings respect for the Lord is pure.
It lasts forever.
The commands the Lord gives are true.
All of them are completely right.
10 They are more priceless than gold.
They have greater value than huge amounts of pure gold.
They are sweeter than honey
that is taken from the honeycomb.
11 Your servant is warned by them.
When people obey them, they are greatly rewarded.
12 But who can know their own mistakes?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Also keep me from the sins I want to commit.
May they not be my master.
Then I will be without blame.
I will not be guilty of any great sin against your law.
14 Lord, may these words of my mouth please you.
And may these thoughts of my heart please you also.
You are my Rock and my Redeemer.
15 A gentle answer turns anger away.
But mean words stir up anger.
2 The tongues of wise people use knowledge well.
But the mouths of foolish people pour out foolish words.
3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere.
They watch those who are evil and those who are good.
4 A tongue that calms is like a tree of life.
But a tongue that tells lies produces a broken spirit.
5 A foolish person turns their back on their parent’s correction.
But anyone who accepts correction shows understanding.
6 The houses of those who do what is right hold great wealth.
But those who do what is wrong earn only ruin.
7 The lips of wise people spread knowledge.
But the hearts of foolish people are not honest.
8 The Lord hates the sacrifice of sinful people.
But the prayers of honest people please him.
9 The Lord hates how sinners live.
But he loves those who run after what is right.
10 Hard training is in store for anyone who leaves the right path.
A person who hates to be corrected will die.
11 Death and the Grave lie open in front of the Lord.
So human hearts certainly lie open to him!
12 People who make fun of others don’t like to be corrected.
So they stay away from wise people.
13 A happy heart makes a face look cheerful.
But a sad heart produces a broken spirit.
14 A heart that understands what is right looks for knowledge.
But the mouths of foolish people feed on what is foolish.
15 All the days of those who are crushed are filled with pain and suffering.
But a cheerful heart enjoys a good time that never ends.
16 It is better to have respect for the Lord and have little
than to be rich and have trouble.
17 A few vegetables where there is love
are better than the finest meat where there is hatred.
17 Abraham had faith. So when God tested him, Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice. Abraham had held on tightly to the promises. But he was about to offer his one and only son. 18 God had said to him, “Your family line will continue through Isaac.” (Genesis 21:12) Even so, Abraham was going to offer him up. 19 Abraham did this, because he believed that God could even raise the dead. In a way, he did receive Isaac back from death.
20 Isaac had faith. So he blessed Jacob and Esau. He told them what was ahead for them.
21 Jacob had faith. So he blessed each of Joseph’s sons. He blessed them when he was dying. Because of his faith he worshiped God. Jacob worshiped as he leaned on the top of his walking stick.
22 Joseph had faith. So he spoke to the people of Israel about how they would leave Egypt someday. When his death was near, he spoke about where to bury his bones.
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