Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
A Prayer for Help
126 It was like a dream when the Lord brought back to Zion those who had been held in another land. 2 Then we laughed with our mouths, and we sang with our tongues. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad.
4 Bring back our people, O Lord, like the rivers in the South. 5 Those who plant with tears will gather fruit with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out crying as he carries his bag of seed will return with songs of joy as he brings much grain with him.
8 Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes, and those who cannot hear, even though they have ears. 9 All the nations have gathered together so the people may be together. Who among them can make this known, and tell us what has happened before? Let them bring people who can show us that they are right. Let them hear and say, “It is true.” 10 “You can speak for Me,” says the Lord. “You are My servant whom I have chosen so that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. No God was made before Me, and there will be none after Me. 11 I, even I, am the Lord. There is no one who saves except Me. 12 I have spoken and saved and have made things known, and there was no strange god among you. You can speak for Me,” says the Lord, “and I am God. 13 I am God and always will be. No one is able to take anything out of My hand. I do something, and who can change it?”
God’s Loving-Kindness—Israel Not Faithful
14 The Lord Who bought you and sets you free, the Holy One of Israel, says, “Because of you I have sent to Babylon, and will bring down all their leaders, even the Babylonians, into the ships in which they find joy. 15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Maker of Israel, your King.”
25 I thought it was right that I send Epaphroditus back to you. You helped me by sending him to me. We have worked together like brothers. He was like a soldier fighting beside me. 26 He has been wanting to see all of you and was troubled because you heard he was sick. 27 It is true, he was sick. Yes, he almost died, but God showed loving-kindness to him and to me. If he had died, I would have had even more sorrow. 28 This is all the more reason I have sent him to you. When you see him, you will be glad and I will have less sorrow. 29 Take him into your church with joy. Show respect for men like him. 30 He came close to death while working for Christ. He almost died doing things for me that you could not do.
It Is Christ Only—Not the Things You Do
3 So now, my Christian brothers, be happy because you belong to Christ. It is not hard for me to write the same things to you. It is good for you.
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