Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
The Law of the Lord Is Perfect
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
19 (A)The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above[a] proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
4 (B)Their (C)voice[b] goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for (D)the sun,
5 (E)which comes out like (F)a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 (G)The law of the Lord is perfect,[c]
(H)reviving the soul;
(I)the testimony of the Lord is (J)sure,
(K)making wise (L)the simple;
8 (M)the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is (N)pure,
(O)enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules[d] of the Lord are (P)true,
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than (Q)gold,
even much (R)fine gold;
(S)sweeter also than honey
and drippings of (T)the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
(U)in keeping them there is great reward.
24 (A)The sluggard buries his hand in (B)the dish
and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 (C)Strike (D)a scoffer, and the simple will (E)learn prudence;
(F)reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother
is (G)a son who brings shame and reproach.
27 Cease to hear instruction, my son,
(H)and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A worthless witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked (I)devours iniquity.
29 Condemnation is ready for (J)scoffers,
and (K)beating for the backs of fools.
17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith (A)apart from your works, and I will show you my faith (B)by my works. 19 (C)You believe that God is one; you do well. Even (D)the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 (E)Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that (F)faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed (G)by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, (H)“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a (I)friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also (J)Rahab the prostitute justified by works (K)when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.