Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
The Lord Watches Over All His Works
104 Praise the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great. You are dressed with great honor and wonderful power. 2 He covers Himself with light as with a coat. He spreads out the heavens like a tent. 3 He makes His home on the waters. He makes the clouds His wagon. He rides on the wings of the wind. 4 He makes the winds carry His news. He makes His helpers a burning fire.
5 He set the earth in its place so that it will stay that way forever. 6 You covered it with the sea as with a coat. The waters stood above the mountains. 7 The waters left at Your strong words. They went away in a hurry at the sound of Your thunder. 8 The mountains went up and the valleys went down to the place that You made for them. 9 You set a place that they may not pass over. The waters will never cover the earth again.
24 O Lord, how many are Your works! You made them all in wisdom. The earth is full of what You have made.
35 Let sinners be destroyed from the earth. And let the sinful be no more. Honor the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!
Elihu Keeps On Speaking
36 Then Elihu spoke more and said, 2 “Wait for me a little longer, and I will show you that there is yet more to be said for God. 3 I bring my learning from far away, and will tell how right and good my Maker is. 4 For sure my words are not false. One who is perfect in much learning is with you.
5 “See, God is powerful, but does not hate anyone. He is powerful in strength of understanding. 6 He does not keep the sinful alive, but gives what is right and fair to those who are troubled. 7 He does not turn His eyes away from those who are right with Him. He puts them on the throne with kings and they are honored forever. 8 If they are tied up in chains and caught in the ropes of trouble, 9 then He makes known to them their work and their sins, that they have shown pride. 10 He makes them listen to teaching, and tells them to turn away from sin. 11 If they hear and serve Him, the rest of their days will be filled with what they need and their years with peace. 12 But if they do not hear, they will die by the sword. They will die without learning.
13 “But those who do not know God keep anger in their heart. They do not cry for help when He puts them in chains. 14 They die when they are young. And their life ends among those who sell the use of their bodies in the houses of the false gods. 15 He takes those who suffer out of their suffering. He speaks to them in times of trouble. 16 He led you from being close to trouble to a wide place where you were free with your table full of food.
7 Receive each other as Christ received you. This will honor God. 8 Christ came to help the Jews. This proved that God had told the truth to their early fathers. This proved that God would do what He promised. 9 This was done so the people who are not Jews can thank God for His loving-kindness. The Holy Writings say, “This is why I will give thanks to you among the people who are not Jews. I will sing to Your name.” (A) 10 It says also, “You who are not Jews, be happy with His people, the Jews.” (B) 11 And, “Honor and give thanks to the Lord, you who are not Jews. Let everyone honor Him.” (C) 12 And Isaiah says, “There will be One from the family of Jesse Who will be a leader over the people who are not Jews. Their hope will be in Him.” (D) 13 Our hope comes from God. May He fill you with joy and peace because of your trust in Him. May your hope grow stronger by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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