Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

God Watches Over His People

124 “If the Lord had not been on our side,” let Israel say, ² “If the Lord had not been on our side when men came against us, ³ they would have eaten us up alive. Because their anger burned against us. ⁴ The waters would have covered us. The river would have passed over our soul. ⁵ The angry waters would have passed over our soul.”

⁶ Honor and thanks be to the Lord! He has not let us be torn by their teeth. ⁷ We have become free like a bird out of a trap. The net is broken and now we are free. ⁸ Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

⁴ “I call to you, O men. My voice is to the sons of men. ⁵ O child-like ones, learn to use wisdom. O fools, make your mind understand. ⁶ Listen, for I will speak great things. What is right will come from my lips. ⁷ For my mouth will speak the truth. My lips hate wrong-doing. ⁸ All the words of my mouth are right and good. There is nothing in them that is against the truth. ⁹ They are all clear to him who understands, and right to those who find much learning. ¹⁰ Take my teaching instead of silver. Take much learning instead of fine gold. ¹¹ For wisdom is better than stones of great worth. All that you may desire cannot compare with her.

¹² “I, wisdom, live with understanding, and I find much learning and careful thinking. ¹³ The fear of the Lord is to hate what is sinful. I hate pride, self-love, the way of sin, and lies. ¹⁴ I have teaching and wisdom. I have understanding and power. ¹⁵ By me kings rule and rulers make laws that are fair. ¹⁶ By me rulers rule, and all the princes rule on the earth. ¹⁷ I love those who love me, and those who look for me with much desire will find me. ¹⁸ Riches and honor are mine, lasting riches and being right with God. ¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold. What I give is better than fine silver. ²⁰ I walk in the way that is right with God, in the center of the ways that are fair. ²¹ I give riches to those who love me, and fill their store-houses.

Be Filled With the Spirit of God

¹⁵ So be careful how you live. Live as men who are wise and not foolish. ¹⁶ Make the best use of your time. These are sinful days. ¹⁷ Do not be foolish. Understand what the Lord wants you to do. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk with wine. That leads to wild living. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Tell of your joy to each other by singing the Songs of David and church songs. Sing in your heart to the Lord. ²⁰ Always give thanks for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.