Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Samuel Serves the Lord at Shiloh

¹⁸ Now Samuel was serving the Lord, even as a boy, wearing a linen vest. ¹⁹ Each year his mother would make him a little coat. She would bring it to him when she came with her husband to bring the gift in worship each year. ²⁰ Then Eli would pray that good would come to Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the Lord give you children from this woman in place of the one she gave to the Lord.” Then they would return to their home.

²⁶ Now the boy Samuel grew and was in favor both with the Lord and with men.

The Whole World Should Praise the Lord

148 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise Him on high! ² Praise Him, all His angels! Praise Him, all His army! ³ Praise Him, sun and moon! Praise Him, all you shining stars! ⁴ Praise Him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! ⁵ Let them praise the name of the Lord! For He spoke and they came into being. ⁶ He has made them last forever and ever. He has set a Law which will not pass away.

⁷ Praise the Lord from the earth, you large sea animals and all seas, ⁸ fire and hail, snow and clouds, and wind storms, obeying His Word. ⁹ Praise the Lord, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all tall trees, ¹⁰ wild animals and all cattle, small animals that move on the ground and birds that fly, ¹¹ kings of the earth and all people, princes and all leaders of the earth, ¹² both young men and women who have never had men, and old men and children.

¹³ Let them praise the name of the Lord. For His name alone is honored. His shining-greatness is above earth and heaven. ¹⁴ He has raised up a horn for His people, praise for all who belong to Him, for the people of Israel, who are near to Him. Praise the Lord!

¹² God has chosen you. You are holy and loved by Him. Because of this, your new life should be full of loving-pity. You should be kind to others and have no pride. Be gentle and be willing to wait for others. ¹³ Try to understand other people. Forgive each other. If you have something against someone, forgive him. That is the way the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And to all these things, you must add love. Love holds everything and everybody together and makes all these good things perfect. ¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ have power over your hearts. You were chosen as a part of His body. Always be thankful.

¹⁶ Let the teaching of Christ and His words keep on living in you. These make your lives rich and full of wisdom. Keep on teaching and helping each other. Sing the Songs of David and the church songs and the songs of heaven with hearts full of thanks to God. ¹⁷ Whatever you say or do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus. Give thanks to God the Father through the Lord Jesus.

⁴¹ His parents went to Jerusalem every year for the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt. ⁴² When He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem as they had done before. ⁴³ When the days of the special supper were over, they started back to their town. But the boy Jesus was still in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it. ⁴⁴ They thought Jesus was with the others of the group. They walked for one day. Then they looked for Him among their family and friends.

⁴⁵ When they could not find Jesus, they turned back to Jerusalem to look for Him. ⁴⁶ Three days later they found Him in the house of God. He was sitting among the teachers. He was hearing what they said and asking questions. ⁴⁷ All those who heard Him were surprised and wondered about His understanding and at what He said. ⁴⁸ When His parents saw Him, they were surprised. His mother said to Him, “My Son, why have You done this to us? See! Your father and I have had much sorrow looking for You.” ⁴⁹ He said to them, “Why were you looking for Me? Do you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?” ⁵⁰ They did not understand the things He said to them.

⁵¹ He went with them to Nazareth and obeyed them. But His mother kept all these words in her heart. ⁵² Jesus grew strong in mind and body. He grew in favor with God and men.