Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
A psalm of the Sons of Korah. A song.
87 The Lord has built his city
on the holy mountain.
2 He loves the city of Zion
more than all the other places
where the people of Jacob live.
3 City of God,
the Lord says glorious things about you.
4 He says, “I will include Egypt and Babylon
in a list of nations who recognize me as king.
I will also include Philistia and Tyre, along with Cush.
I will say about them, ‘They were born in Zion.’ ”
5 Certainly it will be said about Zion,
“This nation and that nation were born in it.
The Most High God himself will make it secure.”
6 Here is what the Lord will write in his list of the nations.
“Each of them was born in Zion.”
7 As they make music they will sing,
“Zion, all our blessings come from you.”
The Lord Judges the Nations
3 “At that time I will bless Judah and Jerusalem
with great success again.
2 I will gather together all the nations.
I will bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.
There I will put them on trial.
I will judge them for what they have done
to my people Israel.
They scattered them among the nations.
They divided up my land among themselves.
3 They cast lots for my people.
They sold boys into slavery to get prostitutes.
They sold girls to buy some wine to drink.
4 “Tyre and Sidon, why are you doing things like that to me? And why are you doing them, all you people in Philistia? Are you trying to get even with me for something I have done? If you are, I will pay you back for it in a quick and speedy way. 5 You took my silver and gold. You carried off my finest treasures to your temples. 6 You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks. You wanted to send them far away from their own country.
7 “But now I will stir them up into action. I will bring them back from the places you sold them to. And I will do to you what you did to them. 8 I will sell your sons and daughters to the people of Judah. And they will sell them to the Sabeans. The Sabeans are a nation that is far away.” The Lord has spoken.
Suffering for Being a Christian
12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised by the terrible things happening to you. The trouble you are having has come to test you. So don’t feel as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be joyful that you are taking part in Christ’s sufferings. Then you will have even more joy when Christ returns in glory. 14 Suppose people say bad things about you because you believe in Christ. Then you are blessed, because God’s Spirit rests on you. He is the Spirit of glory. 15 If you suffer, it shouldn’t be because you are a murderer. It shouldn’t be because you are a thief or someone who does evil things. It shouldn’t be because you interfere with other people’s business. 16 But suppose you suffer for being a Christian. Then don’t be ashamed. Instead, praise God because you are known by the name of Christ. 17 It is time for judgment to begin with the household of God. And since it begins with us, what will happen to people who don’t obey God’s good news? 18 Scripture says,
“Suppose it is hard for godly people to be saved.
Then what will happen to ungodly people and sinners?” (Proverbs 11:31)
19 Here is what people who suffer because of God’s plan should do. They should commit themselves to their faithful Creator. And they should continue to do good.
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