Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord

A Psalm.

Zerubbabel Chosen as a Signet

²⁰ The word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai ^(A)on the twenty-fourth day of the month, ²¹ “Speak to ^(B)Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, ^(C)I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, ²² and ^(D)to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and ^(E)overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, ^(F)every one by the sword of his brother. ²³ On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O ^(G)Zerubbabel ^(H)my servant, the son of ^(I)Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you ^(J)like a^[a] signet ring, ^(K)for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts.”

Greeting

^1 (A)The elder to the elect lady and her children, ^(B)whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who ^(C)know ^(D)the truth, ^2 (E)because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

^3 (F)Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.

Walking in Truth and Love

^4 (G)I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. ⁵ And now I ask you, dear lady—^(H)not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—^(I)that we love one another. ⁶ And ^(J)this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just ^(K)as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. ⁷ For ^(L)many deceivers ^(M)have gone out into the world, ^(N)those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. ⁸ Watch yourselves, ^(O)so that you may not lose what we^[a] have worked for, but ^(P)may win a full reward. ⁹ Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, ^(Q)does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching ^(R)has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, ^(S)do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, ¹¹ for whoever greets him ^(T)takes part in his wicked works.

Final Greetings

^12 (U)Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. ^(V)Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, ^(W)so that our joy may be complete.

¹³ The children of your elect sister greet you.