Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

The Works and the Word of God

19 The heavens are telling of the greatness of God and the great open spaces above show the work of His hands. ² Day to day they speak. And night to night they show much learning. ³ There is no speaking and no words where their voice is not heard. ⁴ Their sound has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun. ⁵ It is as a man soon to be married coming out of his room and as a strong man who is happy to run his race. ⁶ Its rising is from one end of the heavens, and it makes its way to the other end. Nothing is hidden from its heat.

⁷ The Law of the Lord is perfect, giving new strength to the soul. The Law He has made known is sure, making the child-like wise. ⁸ The Laws of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The Word of the Lord is pure, giving light to the eyes. ⁹ The fear of the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The Lord is always true and right in how He judges. ¹⁰ The Word of the Lord is worth more than gold, even more than much fine gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey straight from the comb. ¹¹ And by them Your servant is told to be careful. In obeying them there is great reward.

¹² Who can see his own mistakes? Forgive my sins that I do not see. ¹³ And keep Your servant from sinning by going my own way. Do not let these sins rule over me. Then I will be without blame. And I will not be found guilty of big sins. ¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing in Your eyes, O Lord, my Rock and the One Who saves me.

15 A gentle answer turns away anger, but a sharp word causes anger.

² The tongue of the wise uses much learning in a good way, but the mouth of fools speaks in a foolish way.

³ The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the bad and the good.

⁴ A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but a sinful tongue crushes the spirit.

⁵ A fool turns away from the strong teaching of his father, but he who remembers the strong words spoken to him is wise.

⁶ Great riches are in the house of those who are right with God, but trouble is what the sinful will receive.

⁷ The lips of the wise spread much learning, but the minds of fools do not.

⁸ The Lord hates the gifts of the sinful, but the prayer of the faithful is His joy.

⁹ The Lord hates the way of the sinful, but He loves him who follows what is right and good.

¹⁰ He who turns from the right way will be punished. He who hates strong words spoken to him will die.

¹¹ The world of the dead lies open before the Lord. How much more the hearts of men!

¹² A man who laughs at the truth has no love for the one who speaks strong words to him. He will not go to the wise.

¹³ A glad heart makes a happy face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.

¹⁴ The mind of him who has understanding looks for much learning, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolish ways.

¹⁵ All the days of the suffering are hard, but a glad heart has a special supper all the time.

¹⁶ A little with the fear of the Lord is better than great riches with trouble.

¹⁷ A dish of vegetables with love is better than eating the best meat with hate.

¹⁷ Because Abraham had faith, when he was tested, he gave his son Isaac as a gift on the altar in worship. God had made a promise to Abraham that He would give him a son. And yet Abraham was willing to give his only son as a gift on the altar in worship. ¹⁸ God had said to Abraham, “Your family will come from Isaac.” ^{(A) 19} Abraham believed God was able to bring Isaac back to life again. And so it may be said that Abraham did receive him back from death.

²⁰ Because Isaac had faith, he said that good would come to Jacob and Esau in the future. ²¹ Because Jacob had faith, he said that good would come to each of Joseph’s sons as he was dying. He used his walking stick to hold him up as he prayed to God.

²² Because Joseph had faith, he spoke of the Jews leaving the country of Egypt. He was going to die soon, and he told them to bury his body in the country where they were going.