Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
17 For look, I am ready to create
new heavens and a new earth![a]
The former ones[b] will not be remembered;
no one will think about them anymore.[c]
18 But be happy and rejoice forevermore
over what I am about to create!
For look, I am ready to create Jerusalem to be a source of joy,[d]
and her people to be a source of happiness.[e]
19 Jerusalem will bring me joy,
and my people will bring me happiness.[f]
The sound of weeping or cries of sorrow
will never be heard in her again.
20 Never again will one of her infants live just a few days[g]
or an old man die before his time.[h]
Indeed, no one will die before the age of one hundred;[i]
anyone who fails to reach[j] the age of one hundred will be considered cursed.
21 They will build houses and live in them;
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 No longer will they build a house only to have another live in it,[k]
or plant a vineyard only to have another eat its fruit,[l]
for my people will live as long as trees,[m]
and my chosen ones will enjoy to the fullest what they have produced.[n]
23 They will not work in vain,
or give birth to children that will experience disaster.[o]
For the Lord will bless their children
and their descendants.[p]
24 Before they even call out,[q] I will respond;
while they are still speaking, I will hear.
25 A wolf and a lamb will graze together;[r]
a lion, like an ox, will eat straw,[s]
and a snake’s food will be dirt.[t]
They will no longer injure or destroy
on my entire royal mountain,”[u] says the Lord.
12 At that time[a] you will say:
“I praise you, O Lord,
for even though you were angry with me,
your anger subsided, and you consoled me.
2 Look, God is my deliverer![b]
I will trust in him[c] and not fear.
For the Lord gives me strength and protects me;[d]
he has become my deliverer.”[e]
3 Joyfully you will draw water
from the springs of deliverance.[f]
4 At that time[g] you will say:
“Praise the Lord!
Ask him for help![h]
Publicize his mighty acts among the nations.
Make it known that he is unique.[i]
5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done magnificent things;
let this be known[j] throughout the earth.
6 Cry out and shout for joy, O citizens of Zion,
for the Holy One of Israel[k] acts mightily[l] among you!”
Response to the Undisciplined
6 But we command you, brothers and sisters,[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplined[b] life[c] and not according to the tradition they[d] received from us. 7 For you know yourselves how you must imitate us, because we did not behave without discipline[e] among you, 8 and we did not eat anyone’s food without paying.[f] Instead, in toil and drudgery we worked[g] night and day in order not to burden any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate.[h] 10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.” 11 For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life,[i] not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others.[j] 12 Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and so provide their own food to eat.[k] 13 But you, brothers and sisters,[l] do not grow weary in doing what is right.
The Signs of the End of the Age
5 Now[a] while some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned[b] with beautiful stones and offerings,[c] Jesus[d] said, 6 “As for these things that you are gazing at, the days will come when not one stone will be left on another.[e] All will be torn down!”[f] 7 So[g] they asked him,[h] “Teacher, when will these things[i] happen? And what will be the sign that[j] these things are about to take place?” 8 He[k] said, “Watch out[l] that you are not misled. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’[m] and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them! 9 And when you hear of wars and rebellions,[n] do not be afraid.[o] For these things must happen first, but the end will not come at once.”[p]
Persecution of Disciples
10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise up in arms[q] against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and famines[r] and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights[s] and great signs[t] from heaven. 12 But before all this,[u] they will seize[v] you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues[w] and prisons. You[x] will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will be a time for you to serve as witnesses.[y] 14 Therefore be resolved[z] not to rehearse[aa] ahead of time how to make your defense. 15 For I will give you the words[ab] along with the wisdom[ac] that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents,[ad] brothers, relatives,[ae] and friends, and they will have some of you put to death. 17 You will be hated by everyone because of my name.[af] 18 Yet[ag] not a hair of your head will perish.[ah] 19 By your endurance[ai] you will gain[aj] your lives.[ak]
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