Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Psalm 126

Zion’s Restoration

A song of ascents.

¹⁸ On that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear loyalty to the Lord of Armies. One of the cities will be called the City of the Sun.^[a][b]

¹⁹ On that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the center of the land of Egypt and a pillar to the Lord near her border.^{(A) 20} It will be a sign and witness to the Lord of Armies in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the Lord because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and leader, and he will rescue them.^{(B) 21} The Lord will make himself known to Egypt, and Egypt will know the Lord on that day. They will offer sacrifices and offerings;^(C) they will make vows to the Lord and fulfill them. ²² The Lord will strike Egypt, striking and healing. Then they will turn to the Lord, and he will be receptive to their prayers and heal them.

²³ On that day there will be a highway^(D) from Egypt to Assyria. Assyria will go to Egypt, Egypt to Assyria, and Egypt will worship with Assyria.

²⁴ On that day Israel will form a triple alliance with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing within the land. ²⁵ The Lord of Armies will bless them, saying, “Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork,^(E) and Israel my inheritance are blessed.”^(F)

² May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God^(A) and of Jesus our Lord.

Growth in the Faith

³ His^[a] divine power^(B) has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge^(C) of him who called^(D) us by^[b] his own glory and goodness. ⁴ By these he has given us very great and precious promises,^(E) so that through them you may share in the divine nature,^(F) escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, ⁶ knowledge with self-control,^(G) self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, ⁷ godliness with brotherly affection,^(H) and brotherly affection with love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless^(I) or unfruitful^(J) in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election,^(K) because if you do these things you will never stumble. ¹¹ For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom^(L) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.

¹² Therefore I will always remind you about these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth^(M) you now have. ¹³ I think it is right, as long as I am in this bodily tent,^(N) to wake you up with a reminder, ¹⁴ since I know that I will soon lay aside my tent, as our Lord Jesus Christ has indeed made clear to me.^{(O) 15} And I will also make every effort so that you are able to recall these things at any time after my departure.^[c]