Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
19 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.
2 Day upon day uttereth speech, and night upon night showeth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.
4 Their sound has gone forth through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath He set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it; and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is Thy servant warned, and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse Thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent of the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.
5 And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
2 For there were those who said, “We, our sons and our daughters are many; therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat and live.”
3 There were some also who said, “We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn because of the dearth.”
4 There were also those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children; and lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already; neither is it in our power to redeem them, for other men have our lands and vineyards.”
6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
7 Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles and the rulers and said unto them, “Ye exact usury, every one from his brother.” And I set a great assembly against them.
8 And I said unto them, “We, according to our ability, have redeemed our brethren the Jews who were sold unto the heathen. And will ye even sell your brethren? Or shall they be sold unto us?” Then they held their peace, and found nothing to answer.
9 Also I said, “It is not good what ye do. Ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen, our enemies?
10 I likewise, and my brethren and my servants, might exact from them money and corn; I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
11 Restore, I pray you, to them even this day their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money and of the corn, the wine, and the oil that ye exact from them.”
12 Then said they, “We will restore them, and will require nothing of them. So will we do as thou sayest.” Then I called the priests and took an oath from them, that they should do according to this promise.
13 Also I shook my lap, and said, “So God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who performeth not this promise; eventhus be he shaken out and emptied.” And all the congregation said, “Amen,” and praised the Lord. And the people did according to this promise.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee to their own city, Nazareth.
40 And the Child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.
41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the Feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances.
45 And when they found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him.
46 And it came to pass that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw Him they were amazed, and His mother said unto Him, “Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? Behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing.”
49 And He said unto them, “How is it that ye sought Me? Knew ye not that I must be about My Father’s business?”
50 And they understood not the saying which He spoke unto them.
51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them. But His mother kept all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
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