Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
(A psalm by Asaph for the music leader. To the tune “Lilies of the Agreement.”)
Help Our Nation
8 We were like a grapevine
you brought out of Egypt.
You chased other nations away
and planted us here.
9 Then you cleared the ground,
and we put our roots deep,
spreading over the land.
10 Shade from this vine covered
the mountains.
Its branches climbed
the mighty cedars
11 and stretched to the sea;
its new growth reached
to the river.[a]
12 Our Lord, why have you
torn down the wall
from around the vineyard?
You let everyone who walks by
pick the grapes.
13 Now the vine is gobbled up
by pigs from the forest
and other wild animals.
14 God All-Powerful,
please do something!
Look down from heaven
and see what's happening
to this vine.
15 With your own hands
you planted its roots,
and you raised it
as your very own.
16 Enemies chopped the vine down
and set it on fire.
Now show your anger
and destroy them.
17 But help the one who sits
at your right side,[b]
the one you raised
to be your very own.
18 Then we will never turn away.
Put new life into us,
and we will worship you.
19 Lord God All-Powerful,
make us strong again!
Smile on us and save us.
5 People of Israel, let's live
by the light of the Lord.
Following Sinful Customs
6 Our Lord, you have deserted
your people, Israel,
because they follow customs
of nations from the east.
They worship Philistine gods
and are close friends
of foreigners.[a]
7 They have endless treasures
of silver and gold;
they have countless horses
and war chariots.
8 Everywhere in the country
they worship the idols
they have made.
9 And so, all of them
will be ashamed and disgraced.
Don't forgive them!
A Day of Judgment
10 (A) Every one of you,
go hide among the rocks
and in the ground,
because the Lord is fearsome,
marvelous, and glorious.
11 When the Lord comes,
everyone who is proud
will be made humble,
and the Lord alone
will be honored.
26 No sacrifices can be made for people who decide to sin after they find out about the truth. 27 (A) They are God's enemies, and all they can look forward to is a terrible judgment and a furious fire. 28 (B) If two or more witnesses accused someone of breaking the Law of Moses, that person could be put to death. 29 (C) But it is much worse to dishonor God's Son and to disgrace the blood of the promise that made us holy. And it is just as bad to insult the Holy Spirit, who shows us mercy. 30 (D) We know that God has said he will punish and take revenge. We also know that the Scriptures say the Lord will judge his people. 31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God!
Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society For more information about CEV, visit www.bibles.com and www.cev.bible.