Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 2
1 Why do the nations conspire[a]
and the peoples plot(A) in vain?
2 The kings(B) of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed,(C) saying,
3 “Let us break their chains(D)
and throw off their shackles.”(E)
4 The One enthroned(F) in heaven laughs;(G)
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger(H)
and terrifies them in his wrath,(I) saying,
6 “I have installed my king(J)
on Zion,(K) my holy mountain.(L)”
7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son;(M)
today I have become your father.(N)
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations(O) your inheritance,(P)
the ends of the earth(Q) your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron[b];(R)
you will dash them to pieces(S) like pottery.(T)”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;(U)
be warned, you rulers(V) of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear(W)
and celebrate his rule(X) with trembling.(Y)
12 Kiss his son,(Z) or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath(AA) can flare up in a moment.
Blessed(AB) are all who take refuge(AC) in him.
12 But they will reply, ‘It’s no use.(A) We will continue with our own plans; we will all follow the stubbornness of our evil hearts.(B)’”
13 Therefore this is what the Lord says:
“Inquire among the nations:
Who has ever heard anything like this?(C)
A most horrible(D) thing has been done
by Virgin(E) Israel.
14 Does the snow of Lebanon
ever vanish from its rocky slopes?
Do its cool waters from distant sources
ever stop flowing?[a]
15 Yet my people have forgotten(F) me;
they burn incense(G) to worthless idols,(H)
which made them stumble(I) in their ways,
in the ancient paths.(J)
They made them walk in byways,
on roads not built up.(K)
16 Their land will be an object of horror(L)
and of lasting scorn;(M)
all who pass by will be appalled(N)
and will shake their heads.(O)
17 Like a wind(P) from the east,
I will scatter them before their enemies;
I will show them my back and not my face(Q)
in the day of their disaster.”
18 They said, “Come, let’s make plans(R) against Jeremiah; for the teaching of the law by the priest(S) will not cease, nor will counsel from the wise,(T) nor the word from the prophets.(U) So come, let’s attack him with our tongues(V) and pay no attention to anything he says.”
19 Listen to me, Lord;
hear what my accusers(W) are saying!
20 Should good be repaid with evil?(X)
Yet they have dug a pit(Y) for me.
Remember that I stood(Z) before you
and spoke in their behalf(AA)
to turn your wrath away from them.
21 So give their children over to famine;(AB)
hand them over to the power of the sword.(AC)
Let their wives be made childless and widows;(AD)
let their men be put to death,
their young men(AE) slain by the sword in battle.
22 Let a cry(AF) be heard from their houses
when you suddenly bring invaders against them,
for they have dug a pit(AG) to capture me
and have hidden snares(AH) for my feet.
23 But you, Lord, know
all their plots to kill(AI) me.
Do not forgive(AJ) their crimes
or blot out their sins from your sight.
Let them be overthrown before you;
deal with them in the time of your anger.(AK)
Reasons for Paul’s Instructions
14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church(A) of the living God,(B) the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery(C) from which true godliness(D) springs is great:
He appeared in the flesh,(E)
was vindicated by the Spirit,[a]
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,(F)
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.(G)
4 The Spirit(H) clearly says that in later times(I) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits(J) and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.(K) 3 They forbid people to marry(L) and order them to abstain from certain foods,(M) which God created(N) to be received with thanksgiving(O) by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good,(P) and nothing is to be rejected(Q) if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God(R) and prayer.
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