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.
21 The heart of the king is like rivers of water in the hand of the Lord. He turns it where He wishes.
2 Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, but the Lord knows the hearts.
3 To do what is right and good and fair is more pleasing to the Lord than gifts given on the altar in worship.
4 Eyes lifted high and a proud heart is sin and is the lamp of the sinful.
5 The plans of those who do their best lead only to having all they need, but all who are in a hurry come only to want.
6 Getting riches by a lying tongue is like a passing cloud, and leads to death.
7 The way the sinful hurt others will draw them away, because they will not do what is right and fair.
8 The way of a guilty man is sinful, but the actions of the pure man are right.
9 It is better to live in a corner of a roof than in a house shared with an arguing woman.
10 The soul of the sinful has a desire for what is bad. His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When the man who laughs at the truth is punished, the fool becomes wise. When a wise man is taught, he gets much learning.
12 The One Who is right and good thinks about the house of the sinful, and the sinful are thrown down to be destroyed.
13 He who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered.
14 A gift in secret quiets anger. A gift from the heart quiets strong anger.
15 When what is right and fair is done, it is a joy for those who are right with God. But it fills the sinful with fear.
16 A man who goes away from the way of understanding will rest in the gathering of the dead.
17 He who loves only fun will become a poor man. He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.
They Ask Jesus Who Gave Him the Power to Do These Things (A)
23 Jesus came into the house of God. The religious leaders and the other leaders of the people came up to Him as He was teaching. They said, “By what right and power are You doing these things? Who gave You the right and the power to do them?” 24 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing also. If you tell Me, then I will tell you by what right and power I do these things. 25 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?” They thought among themselves, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ then He will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, because they all think John was one who spoke for God.” 27 They said to Jesus, “We do not know.” He said to them, “Then I will not tell you by what right and power I do these things.
The Picture-Story of the Two Sons
28 “What do you think about this? There was a man who had two sons. He came to the first son and said, ‘My son, go to my grape-field and work today.’ 29 He said, ‘I will go.’ But he did not go. 30 The father came to the second son and asked the same thing. The son said, ‘No, I will not go.’ Later he was sorry and went. 31 Which one of the two sons did what his father wanted?” They said to Jesus, “The second son.” Jesus said to them, “For sure, I tell you this: Tax-gatherers and women who sell the use of their bodies will get into the holy nation of heaven before you. 32 For John came to you preaching about being right with God. You did not believe him. But tax-gatherers and women who sell the use of their bodies did believe him. When you saw this, you were not sorry for your sins and did not turn from them and believe him.
Copyright © 1969, 2003 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.