Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Praise in Zion

87 The city God built stands on the holy mountains. ² The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the other places of Jacob. ³ Great things are said about you, O city of God. ⁴ I will say that Rahab and Babylon are among those who know Me. Look, Philistia and Tyre and Ethiopia say, “This one was born there.” ⁵ But it will be said of Zion, “This one and that one were born in her.” And the Most High Himself will make her strong. ⁶ The Lord will write in the book of the people, “This one was born there.” ⁷ Then those who sing and those who play music will say, “All my wells of joy are in you.”

⁹ Make this known among the nations: Get ready for war! Call your strong men! Gather all the soldiers and let them come up! ¹⁰ Beat your plows into swords, and your vine hooks into spears. Let the weak say, “I am a powerful soldier.” ¹¹ Hurry and come, all you nations on every side, and gather yourselves there. Bring down Your men of war, O Lord. ¹² Let the nations get ready and come to the valley of Jehoshaphat. For there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side. ¹³ Use the long, sharp knife, for the fruit is full-grown. Come and crush the grapes, for the crushing-place is full. They flow over, for their sins are many. ¹⁴ Thousands and thousands are in the valley of God’s punishment. For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of God’s punishment. ¹⁵ The sun and moon become dark, and the stars stop shining. ¹⁶ The Lord makes a loud noise from Zion. He lets His voice be heard from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth shake. But the Lord is a safe place for His people, a strong place to the sons of Israel.

5 I want to speak to the church leaders among you. I am a church leader also. I saw Christ suffer and die on a cross. I will also share His shining-greatness when He comes again. ² Be good shepherds of the flock God has put in your care. Do not care for the flock as if you were made to. Do not care for the flock for money, but do it because you want to. ³ Do not be bosses over the people you lead. Live as you would like to have them live. ⁴ When the Head Shepherd comes again, you will get the crown of shining-greatness that will not come to an end.

⁵ In the same way, you younger men must obey the church leaders. Be gentle as you care for each other. God works against those who have pride. He gives His loving-favor to those who do not try to honor themselves. ⁶ So put away all pride from yourselves. You are standing under the powerful hand of God. At the right time He will lift you up. ⁷ Give all your worries to Him because He cares for you.

⁸ Keep awake! Watch at all times. The devil is working against you. He is walking around like a hungry lion with his mouth open. He is looking for someone to eat. ⁹ Stand against him and be strong in your faith. Remember, other Christians over all the world are suffering the same as you are. ¹⁰ After you have suffered for awhile, God Himself will make you perfect. He will keep you in the right way. He will give you strength. He is the God of all loving-favor and has called you through Christ Jesus to share His shining-greatness forever. ¹¹ God has power over all things forever. Let it be so.