Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 87
A song of the sons of Korah.
1 He laid His foundation on the sacred mountains.
2 The Eternal loves Zion’s gates;
He prefers it over any other place where Jacob’s descendants make their homes.
3 Spectacular things are said about you,
O Jerusalem, city of the True God.
[pause][a]
4 God says, “I tell of some who know Me in Egypt[b] and Babylon;
behold, My people are in Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia[c] too:
‘This person was born there.’”
5 It is said of Zion,
“This person and that person were born in her.”
The Most High God has established that city and makes her strong.
6 When keeping track of His people, the Eternal surely notices,
“This one was born in Zion.”
[pause]
7 Those who sing and those who dance will say together,
“All my fountains of joy are in You.”
3 Eternal One: Know that in those days and at that time
I will bring back Judah and Jerusalem from their captivity.
2 I will assemble all Israel’s enemies in the valley of Jehoshaphat—My judgment.
I will judge them for how they treated My people, My legacy, Israel—
Whom they deported and exiled to the nations.
They divided My land among themselves;
3 They cast lots for My people, selling them into slavery—
trading boys for prostitutes, selling young girls for a drink of wine.
4 Tyre, Sidon, and all the districts of Philistia, what do you have against Me?
Are you trying to get back at Me?
Do you pay me back?
I will turn your wicked actions back upon your heads, fast and sure.
5 You have taken wonderful treasures from My house, My silver and gold,
and you carried them to your own temples and palaces.
6 You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks
to send them far away from their home without hope of return.
7 But now, watch! I am going to awaken them to action,
and in those distant lands where you sold them
I will turn your wicked actions back upon your heads:
8 I will sell your sons and daughters into slavery.
Now the people of Judah will be your children’s masters.
Indeed, they will sell your children to the Sabeans,
who will take them far, far away.
The Eternal One has spoken.
12 Dear ones, don’t be surprised when you experience your trial by fire. It is not something strange and unusual, 13 but it is something you should rejoice in. In it you share the Anointed’s sufferings, and you will be that much more joyful when His glory is revealed. 14 If anyone condemns you for following Jesus as the Anointed One, consider yourself blessed. The glorious Spirit of God rests on you. 15 But none of you should ever merit suffering like those who have murdered or stolen, meddled in the affairs of others or done evil things. 16 But if you should suffer for being a Christian, don’t think of it as a disgrace, as it would be if you had done wrong. Praise God that you’re permitted to carry this name.
People often suffer because of poor decisions that result in shame, but the people of God face persecution for their faithfulness that leads to honor and glory.
17 For the time for judgment has come, and it is beginning with the household of God. If it is starting with us, what will happen to those who have rejected God’s good news? 18 It is written in Proverbs,
If it is hard for the righteous ones to be saved,
what will happen to the ungodly and the sinners?[a]
19 So even if you should suffer now for doing God’s will, continue doing good and trust your futures to the judgment and mercy of a faithful Creator.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.