Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has looked favorably on[a] his people and redeemed them.(A)
69 He has raised up a mighty savior[b] for us
in the house of his child David,(B)
70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,(C)
71 that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors
and has remembered his holy covenant,(D)
73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
to grant us 74 that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,(E) 75 in holiness and righteousness
in his presence all our days.(F)
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,(G)
77 to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.(H)
78 Because of the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break[c] upon[d] us,
79 to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”(I)
13 You have spoken harsh words against me, says the Lord. Yet you say, “How have we spoken against you?”(A) 14 You have said, “It is vain to serve God. What do we profit by keeping his command or by going about as mourners before the Lord of hosts?(B) 15 Now we count the arrogant happy; evildoers not only prosper, but when they put God to the test they escape.”(C)
The Reward of the Faithful
16 Then those who revered the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord took note and listened, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who revered the Lord and thought on his name.(D) 17 They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, my special possession on the day when I act, and I will spare them as parents spare their children who serve them.(E) 18 Then once more you shall see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.(F)
18 What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true, and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my salvation.(A) 20 It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way but that by my speaking with all boldness Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death.(B) 21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me, yet I cannot say which I will choose. 23 I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better,(C) 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 25 Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, 26 so that, by my presence again with you, your boast might abound in Christ Jesus because of me.(D)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.