Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

³⁶ In Joppa there was a believer named Tabitha. Her name in the Greek language is Dorcas. She was always doing good and helping poor people. ³⁷ About that time she became sick and died. Her body was washed and placed in a room upstairs. ³⁸ Lydda was near Joppa. The believers heard that Peter was in Lydda. So they sent two men to him. They begged him, “Please come at once!”

³⁹ Peter went with them. When he arrived, he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him crying. They showed him the robes and other clothes Dorcas had made before she died.

⁴⁰ Peter sent them all out of the room. Then he got down on his knees and prayed. He turned toward the dead woman. He said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up. ⁴¹ He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and especially the widows. He brought her to them. They saw that she was alive. ⁴² This became known all over Joppa. Many people believed in the Lord. ⁴³ Peter stayed in Joppa for some time. He stayed with Simon, a man who worked with leather.

A psalm of David.

The Huge Crowd Wearing White Robes

⁹ After this I looked, and there in front of me was a huge crowd of people. They stood in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb. There were so many that no one could count them. They came from every nation, tribe and people. That’s true no matter what language they spoke. They were wearing white robes. In their hands they were holding palm branches. ¹⁰ They cried out in a loud voice,

¹¹ All the angels were standing around the throne. They were standing around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces in front of the throne and worshiped God. ¹² They said,

¹³ Then one of the elders spoke to me. “Who are these people dressed in white robes?” he asked. “Where did they come from?”

¹⁴ I answered, “Sir, you know.”

He said, “They are the ones who have come out of the time of terrible suffering. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵ So

Another Challenge to Jesus’ Claims

²² Then came the Feast of Hanukkah at Jerusalem. It was winter. ²³ Jesus was in the temple courtyard walking in Solomon’s Porch. ²⁴ The Jews who were gathered there around Jesus spoke to him. They said, “How long will you keep us waiting? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

²⁵ Jesus answered, “I did tell you. But you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name are a witness for me. ²⁶ But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep. ²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never die. No one will steal them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than anyone. No one can steal them out of my Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”