Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
17 Do good to Your servant so I may live and obey Your Word. 18 Open my eyes so that I may see great things from Your Law. 19 I am a stranger on the earth. Do not hide Your Word from me. 20 My soul is crushed with a desire for Your Law at all times. 21 You speak sharp words to the proud, the hated ones, because they turn from Your Word. 22 Take away shame and bad feelings from me, for I have kept Your Law. 23 Even if rulers sit together and speak against me, Your servant thinks about Your Law. 24 Your Law is my joy and it tells me what to do.
25 My soul is laid in the dust. Give me new life because of Your Word. 26 I have told about my ways, and You have answered me. Teach me Your Law. 27 Make me understand the way of Your Law so I will talk about Your great works. 28 My soul cries because of sorrow. Give me strength because of Your Word. 29 Take the false way from me. Show Your loving-favor by giving me Your Law. 30 I have chosen the faithful way. I have set Your Law in front of me. 31 I hold on to Your Law, O Lord. Do not put me to shame. 32 I will run the way of Your Law, for You will give me a willing heart.
Special Dream about Locusts
7 This is what the Lord God showed me: He was making a gathering of locusts when the spring grain began to grow. The spring grain was after the king’s share had been cut. 2 When they had finished eating the grass I said, “Lord God, forgive! O that Jacob may stay alive for he is so small!” 3 So the Lord changed His mind about this. “It will not be,” said the Lord.
Special Dream about Fire
4 This is what the Lord God showed me: The Lord God was calling for a punishment by fire. It dried up the deep waters and began to destroy the farm land. 5 Then I said, “Lord God, I beg You to stop! How can Jacob stay alive, for he is so small?” 6 So the Lord changed His mind about this. “This also will not be,” said the Lord God.
27 God wants these great riches of the hidden truth to be made known to the people who are not Jews. The secret is this: Christ in you brings hope of all the great things to come. 28 We preach Christ. We tell every man how he must live. We use wisdom in teaching every man. We do this so every man will be complete in Christ. 29 This is the reason I am working. God’s great power is working in me.
The Christian Is Complete in Christ
2 I want you to know how hard I have worked for you and for the Christians in the city of Laodicea and for those who have never seen me. 2 May their hearts be given comfort. May they be brought close together in Christian love. May they be rich in understanding and know God’s secret. It is Christ Himself. 3 In Christ are hidden all the riches of wisdom and understanding. 4 I tell you this so no one will try to change your mind with big sounding talk. 5 Even if I am far away from you in body, I am with you in spirit. I am happy to learn how well you are getting along. It is good to hear that your faith is so strong in Christ. 6 As you have put your trust in Christ Jesus the Lord to save you from the punishment of sin, now let Him lead you in every step. 7 Have your roots planted deep in Christ. Grow in Him. Get your strength from Him. Let Him make you strong in the faith as you have been taught. Your life should be full of thanks to Him.
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