Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 104
Bless the Lord, Who Creates Wonders
Introduction
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul.
O Lord my God, you are very great.
You are clothed with splendor and majesty.
Day One—Light
2 He wears light like a robe.
Day Two—the Sky
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy.
3 He lays beams on the waters to support his upper chambers.
He makes clouds his chariot.
He travels on the wings of the wind.
4 He makes his messengers[a] winds.
His ministers are blazing fire.
Day Three—the Waters and Plants
5 He placed the earth firmly on its foundations.
It cannot be moved forever and ever.
6 You covered it with the deep as a garment.
The waters stood above the mountains.
7 At your rebuke they fled.
At the sound of your thunder they hurried away.
8 The waters surged up the mountains.
They went down into the valleys,[b]
to the place that you prepared for them.
9 You set a boundary that they cannot cross.
They will not return to cover the earth.
Days Five and Six—Animals and Man
24 How many are your works, O Lord!
In wisdom you made them all.
The earth is full of your creatures.
35 May sinners come to an end on the earth,
and the wicked—may they be no more.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Praise the Lord![a]
37 When I hear this, my heart races
and leaps from its place.
2 Listen! Listen to the booming thunder of his voice,
to the rumble that goes out from his mouth.
3 He turns it loose across the whole sky,
and his light reaches the ends of the earth.
4 After the lightning, a voice roars.
He thunders with his majestic voice.
He does not restrain the lightning.
Then his voice is heard!
5 God thunders with his voice in wonderful ways.
He does great things that we do not understand.
6 To the snow he says, “Fall on the earth.”
To the pouring rain, the torrential downpours of rain,
he says, “Be strong.”[a]
7 He brings an end to all the work of men’s hands,
so that they recognize his work.
8 The wild animals take shelter in their lairs.
They remain in their dens.
9 A winter wind comes out from its room,
and driving winds bring icy cold.
10 The breath of God produces ice.
The wide surface of the water turns solid.
11 Yes, he loads dark clouds with moisture,
and he fills the clouds with his light.
12 The clouds swirl around at his direction.
They do whatever he commands them
over the face of the whole inhabited world.
13 Whether their purpose is to bring punishment or mercy to the world,
he makes them achieve their goal.
14 Listen to this, Job! Stand still and recognize the wonders of God!
15 Do you know how God arranges them?
Do you know how he makes his light shine out from his clouds?
16 Do you know how the clouds float in the sky,
those marvels produced by perfect knowledge?
17 You, whose clothing is too hot for you
when the land rests quietly because of the hot south wind,
18 can you help him spread out the clouds
when the sky is as hard as a metal mirror?
19 Teach us what we should say to him!
We are not able to prepare our case because of the darkness.
20 Should he be notified that I want to speak?
Or would a man who said that be swallowed up?
21 But no one can look at the sun.
It is too bright when the wind has cleared the sky of the clouds.
22 God’s golden splendor comes from the north.
God is surrounded by awesome majesty.
23 As for the Almighty, we cannot comprehend him.
He is exalted in power,
but he does not violate justice and great righteousness.
24 Therefore men should revere him,
because he has regard for all those who are wise in heart.[b]
The Vision of the Great Prostitute
17 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke to me. He said, “Come, I will show you the judgment on the great prostitute who is sitting on many waters. 2 The kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality with her, and those who make their home on the earth have become drunk on the wine of her immorality.”
3 The angel carried me in spirit into a wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was clothed with purple and scarlet and was adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. In her hand was a gold cup full of abominations and the filth of her sexual immorality. 5 And on her forehead this name was written:
Mystery
Babylon the Great,
the mother of the prostitutes
and of the abominations of the earth.
6 And I saw that this woman was drunk from the blood of the saints and the blood of Jesus’ martyrs.
Explanation of the Woman and the Beast
When I saw her, I was greatly amazed. 7 And the angel said to me, “Why are you amazed? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, the one that has seven heads and ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw: He existed, is no more, and he is about to come out of the abyss and go to destruction. Those who make their home on the earth, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life from the creation of the world, will be amazed when they see the beast, because he existed, is no more, and will exist again.
9 “A mind that has wisdom is needed here: The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman is sitting. They are also seven kings. 10 Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, but when he comes, he must remain for a little while.
11 “The beast that existed and is no more is the eighth king (who is one of the seven) and is going to go to destruction. 12 The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but along with the beast they will receive authority like kings for one hour. 13 They share one purpose and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them, because he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Those who are with him are the called, the elect, and the believing.”
15 The angel also said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is sitting, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. 16 The ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute and will cause her to be abandoned and naked. They will also eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose, namely, to agree to give their royal authority to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 The woman whom you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.