Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
2 The Prophet David rejoiceth, that notwithstanding his enemies’ rage, yet God will continue his kingdom forever, and advance it even to the end of the world, 10 and therefore exhorteth kings and rulers, that they would humbly submit themselves under God’s yoke, because it is in vain to resist God. Herein is figured Christ’s kingdom.
1 Why do the [a]heathen (A)rage, and the people murmur in vain.
2 The kings of the earth band themselves, and the Princes are assembled together against the Lord, and against his [b]Christ.
3 [c]Let us break their bands, and cast their cords from us.
4 (B)But he that dwelleth in the heaven shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 [d]Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure, saying,
6 Even I have set my King upon Zion mine holy mountain.
7 I will declare the [e]decree: that is, the Lord hath said unto me, (C)Thou art my son; this [f]day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the [g]ends of the earth for thy possession.
9 (D)Thou shalt crush them with a scepter of iron, and break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
10 [h]Be wise now therefore, ye kings: be learned ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord in fear, and rejoice in trembling.
12 [i]Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye [j]perish in the way, when his wrath shall suddenly burn. Blessed are all that trust in him.
12 But they said [a]desperately, Surely we will walk after our own imaginations, and do every man after the stubbornness of his wicked heart.
13 Therefore thus saith the Lord, Ask now among the heathen, who hath heard such things? the virgin of Israel hath done very filthily.
14 Will a man forsake the snow of Lebanon, which cometh from the rock of the field? [b]or shall the cold flowing waters, that come from another place, be forsaken?
15 Because my people hath forgotten me, and have burnt incense to vanity, and their prophets have caused them to stumble in their ways from the [c]ancient ways, to walk in the paths and way that is not trodden,
16 To make their land desolate, and a perpetual derision, so that everyone that passeth thereby, shall be astonished and wag his head,
17 I will scatter them with an East wind before the enemy: I will show them the back, and [d]not the face in the day of their destruction.
18 Then said they, Come, and let us imagine some device against Jeremiah: for the Law [e]shall not perish from the Priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the Prophet: come, and let us smite him with the [f]tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
19 Hearken unto me, O Lord, and hear the voice of them that contend with me.
20 Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have dug a pit for my soul: remember that I stood before thee, to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them.
21 Therefore, [g]deliver up their children to famine, and let them drop away by the force of the sword, let their wives be robbed of their children, and be widows: and let their husbands be put to death, and let their young men be slain by the sword in the battle.
22 Let the cry be heard from their houses, when thou shalt bring an host suddenly upon them: for they have dug a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet.
23 Yet Lord thou knowest all their counsel against me tendeth to death: forgive not their iniquity, neither put out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee: deal thus with them in the time of thine anger.
14 [a]These things write I unto thee, trusting to come very shortly unto thee.
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest yet know, how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the [b]house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the [c]pillar and ground of truth.
16 [d]And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness, which is, God is manifested in the flesh, [e]justified in the Spirit, seen of Angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.
4 1 He condemneth as well false doctrine, 3 of marriage and the choice of meats, 7 as also profane fables: 8 and commendeth the godly exercise, 13 and the daily reading of the Scriptures.
1 Now [f]the Spirit speaketh evidently, that in the latter times some shall depart from the [g]faith, and shall give heed unto spirits of error, and doctrines of devils,
2 [h]Which speak lies through [i]hypocrisy, and have their [j]consciences burned with an hot iron,
3 [k]Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats [l]which God hath created [m]to be received [n]with giving thanks of them which believe and know the truth.
4 [o]For every creature of God is good, and nothing ought to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.
5 [p]For it is [q]sanctified by the [r]word of God, and prayer.
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