Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

⁴ Lord, bless us with great success again,
    as rain makes streams flow in the Negev Desert.
⁵ Those who cry as they plant their crops
    will sing with joy when they gather them in.
⁶ Those who go out weeping
    as they carry seeds to plant
will come back singing with joy.
    They will bring the new crop back with them.

⁸ Lead my people into court.
    They have eyes but can’t see.
    Bring those who have ears but can’t hear.
⁹ All the nations are gathering together.
    All of them are coming.
Which one of their gods said ahead of time
    that the people of Israel would return?
    Which of them told us anything at all about the past?
Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right.
    Then others will hear them. And they will say,
    “What they said is true.”
¹⁰ “People of Israel, you are my witnesses,” announces the Lord.
    “I have chosen you to be my servant.
I wanted you to know me and believe in me.
    I wanted you to understand that I am the one and only God.
Before me, there was no other god at all.
    And there will not be any god after me.
¹¹ I am the one and only Lord.
    I am the only one who can save you.
¹² I have made known what would happen.
    I saved you. I have told you about it.
I did this. It was not some other god you worship.
    You are my witnesses that I am God,” announces the Lord.
¹³ “And that is not all! I have always been God,
    and I always will be.
No one can save people from my power.
    When I do something, who can undo it?”