Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
The Lord—a Safe Place
11 In the Lord I am safe. How can you say to me, “Fly away as a bird to your mountain? 2 For look, the sinful raise their bow. They make their arrow ready on the string to shoot in the dark against the pure in heart. 3 If the base of the building is destroyed, what can those who are right with God do?”
4 The Lord is in His holy house. The Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes see as He tests the sons of men. 5 The Lord tests and proves those who are right and good and those who are sinful. And His soul hates the one who loves to hurt others. 6 He will send down fire upon the sinful. Fire and sulphur and burning wind will be the cup they will drink. 7 For the Lord is right and good. He loves what is right and good. And those who are right with Him will see His face.
14 They raise their voices. They call out for joy. They cry out from the west about the wonderful power of the Lord. 15 So honor the Lord in the east. Honor the name of the Lord God of Israel in the islands of the sea. 16 From the ends of the earth we hear songs: “Praise the One Who is right and good.” But I say, “I waste away! I waste away! It is bad for me! The false ones are not faithful. Yes, their way is very false.” 17 Fear and the deep hole and the trap are before you, O people of the earth. 18 He who runs from the news of trouble will fall into a deep hole. And he who comes out of the hole will be caught in a trap. For the windows of heaven are opened, and the earth shakes. 19 The earth is broken in pieces. The earth is torn apart. The earth is very shaken. 20 The earth turns from one side to the other side like a drunk man. It shakes like a tent because its sin is heavy upon it. It will fall, never to rise again. 21 In that day the Lord will punish the powers of heaven above, and the kings of the earth below. 22 They will be gathered together like those in a prison. They will be kept in a deep, dark prison, and after many days they will be punished. 23 Then the moon will be dark and the sun will not shine, for the Lord of All will rule on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem. And in front of His leaders, He will let His shining-greatness be seen.
Faithful Servants and Servants Who Are Not Faithful
41 Peter said, “Lord, are You telling this picture-story to us or to all the people?” 42 The Lord said, “Who is the faithful and wise servant his owner made boss over the others? He is the one who is to have food ready at the right time. 43 That servant is happy who is doing his work when the owner comes. 44 For sure, I tell you, he will make him boss over all he has.
45 “But what if that servant says to himself, ‘The owner will not be coming soon,’ and then beats the other servants and eats and drinks and gets drunk? 46 The owner of that servant will come on a day and at an hour when he is not looking for him. He will cut him in pieces and will put him with those who do not believe.
47 “The servant who knew what the owner wanted done, but did not get ready for him, or did not do what he wanted done, will be beaten many times. 48 But the servant who did not know what his owner wanted done, but did things that would be reason to be beaten, will be beaten only a few times. The man who receives much will have to give much. If much is given to a man to take care of, men will expect to get more from him.
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