Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Yahweh’s Creation and Law
For the music director. A psalm of David.[a]
19 The heavens are telling the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.
2 Every day[b] they pour forth speech,
and every night[c] they tell knowledge.
3 There is no speech and there are no words;
their sound is inaudible.
4 Yet in all the world their line[d] goes out,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them[e] he has pitched a tent for the sun,
5 and it is like a bridegroom
who comes out of his bridal chamber.
It is glad like a strong man
to run its course.
6 Its rising is from one[f] end of the heavens
and its circuit to the other end[g] of them;
and nothing is hidden from its heat.
7 The law of Yahweh is perfect, reviving life.[h]
The testimony of Yahweh is firm, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of Yahweh are right, making the heart rejoice.
The command of Yahweh is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of Yahweh is pure, enduring forever.
The ordinances of Yahweh are true; they are righteous altogether,
10 more desirable than gold, even much fine gold;
and sweeter than honey, even honey in the comb.
11 Moreover, your servant is warned[i] by them;
in keeping them is great reward.
12 Who can perceive his errors?
Acquit me from hidden faults.
13 Also, keep back your servant from arrogant sins;[j]
let them not rule over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
and I shall be innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your presence,
O Yahweh, my rock and my redeemer.
Nehemiah Deals with Strife
5 Now there was a great cry of distress of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. 2 There were those who were saying, “Our sons and daughters, we are many. We must get grain so that we may eat and live.” 3 There were also those saying, “We have pledged our fields and our vineyards and our houses so that we can get grain in the famine.” 4 And there were those who were saying, “We have borrowed money on our fields and our vineyards for the tax of the king. 5 Now our flesh is like the flesh of our brothers, our sons are like their sons. Look, we are subduing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and there are some from our daughters being molested. We are powerless,[a] and our fields and vineyards belong to others.”
6 I was very angry when I heard their shouts and these words. 7 I thought over this in my heart, and then I quarreled with the nobles and the prefects. I said to them, “You yourselves are taking interest from your own brother!” So I called the great assembly against them, 8 and I said to them: “We ourselves have bought back our brothers the Jews who were sold to the nations as we were able. But now you yourselves have sold your brothers so they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say.
9 So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God to prevent the disgrace from the nations, our enemies? 10 Also, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Please stop taking this interest. 11 Please restore to them this day their fields, their vineyards, their olive groves, their houses, and the interest on the money, the grain, the grape juice, and the olive oil that you have been taking from them.” 12 So they said, “We will restore it and will not request anything more. So we will do as you say.” Then I called the priests and made them take an oath to do this promise. 13 I also shook out my garment and said, “This is how God will shake out everyone from his house who will not keep this promise. So this is how his possessions will be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said, “Amen!” And they praised Yahweh, and the people kept this promise.
39 And when they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child was growing and becoming strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.
Jesus in the Temple at Twelve Years Old
41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the feast. 43 And after[a] the days were completed, while they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. And his parents did not know it,[b] 44 but believing him to be in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. And they began searching for[c] him among their[d] relatives and their[e] acquaintances, 45 and when they[f] did not find him,[g] they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46 And it happened that after three days they found him in the temple courts,[h] sitting in the midst of the teachers and listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his insight and his[i] answers. 48 And when they[j] saw him, they were astounded and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you done this to us? Look, your father and I have been searching for you anxiously!” 49 And he said to them, “Why[k] were you searching for me? Did you not know that it was necessary for me to be in the house[l] of my Father?” 50 And they did not understand the statement that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was submitting to them. And his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus was advancing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and with people.
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