Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
For the director of music. A psalm of Asaph. A song to be played on stringed instruments.
76 In the land of Judah, God is well known.
In Israel, his name is great.
2 His tent is in Jerusalem.
The place where he lives is on Mount Zion.
3 There he broke the deadly arrows of his enemies.
He broke their shields and swords.
He broke their weapons of war.
4 God, you shine like a very bright light.
You are more majestic than mountains full of wild animals.
5 Brave soldiers have been robbed of everything they had.
Now they lie there, sleeping in death.
Not one of them can even lift his hands.
6 God of Jacob, at your command
both horse and chariot lie still.
7 People should have respect for you alone.
Who can stand in front of you when you are angry?
8 From heaven you handed down your sentence.
The land was afraid and became quiet.
9 God, that happened when you rose up to judge.
It happened when you came to save all your suffering people in the land.
10 Your anger against sinners brings you praise.
Those who live through your anger gather to worship you.
11 Make promises to the Lord your God and keep them.
Let all the neighboring nations
bring gifts to the God who should be respected.
12 He breaks the proud spirit of rulers.
The kings of the earth have respect for him.
The Lord Judges Some People and Blesses Others
66 The Lord says,
“Heaven is my throne.
The earth is under my control.
So how could you ever build a house for me?
Where would my resting place be?
2 Didn’t I make everything by my power?
That is how all things were created,”
announces the Lord.
“The people I value are not proud.
They are sorry for the wrong things they have done.
They have great respect for what I say.
3 But others are not like that.
They sacrifice bulls to me,
but at the same time they kill people.
They offer lambs to me,
but they also sacrifice dogs to other gods.
They bring grain offerings to me,
but they also offer pig’s blood to other gods.
They burn incense to me,
but they also worship statues of gods.
They have chosen to go their own way.
They take delight in things I hate.
4 So I have also made a choice.
I will make them suffer greatly.
I will bring on them what they are afraid of.
When I called out to them, no one answered me.
When I spoke to them, no one listened.
They did what is evil in my sight.
They chose to do what displeases me.”
5 Listen to the word of the Lord.
Listen, you who tremble with fear when he speaks. He says,
“Some of your own people hate you.
They turn their backs on you because you are faithful to me.
They make fun of you and say,
‘Let the Lord show his glory by saving you.
Then we can see how happy you are.’
But they will be put to shame.
6 Hear the loud sounds coming from the city!
Listen to the noise coming from the temple!
I am the one causing it.
I am paying back my enemies for everything they have done.
7 “Zion is like a woman who has a baby
before she goes into labor.
She has a son
even before her labor pains begin.
8 Who has ever heard of anything like that?
Who has ever seen such a thing?
Can a country be born in a day?
Can a nation be created in a moment?
But as soon as Zion goes into labor,
there are many more of her people.
9 Zion, would I bring you to the moment of birth
and not let it happen?”
says the Lord.
“Would I close up a mother’s body
when it is time for her baby to be born?”
says your God.
10 “Be glad along with Jerusalem, all you who love her.
Be filled with joy because of her.
Take great delight in her,
all you who mourn over her.
11 You will nurse at her comforting breasts.
And you will be satisfied.
You will drink until you are full.
And you will delight in her rich and plentiful supply.”
12 The Lord continues,
“I will cause peace to flow over her like a river.
I will make the wealth of nations sweep over her like a flooding stream.
You will nurse and be carried in her arms.
You will play on her lap.
13 As a mother comforts her child,
I will comfort you.
You will find comfort in Jerusalem.”
The Believer’s Freedom
23 You say, “I have the right to do anything.” But not everything is helpful. Again you say, “I have the right to do anything.” But not everything builds us up. 24 No one should look out for their own interests. Instead, they should look out for the interests of others.
25 Eat anything sold in the meat market. Don’t ask if it’s right or wrong. 26 Scripture says, “The earth belongs to the Lord. And so does everything in it.” (Psalm 24:1)
27 Suppose an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go. Then eat anything that is put in front of you. Don’t ask if it’s right or wrong. 28 But suppose someone says to you, “This food has been sacrificed to a statue of a god.” Then don’t eat it. Keep in mind the good of the person who told you. And don’t eat because of a sense of what is right and wrong. 29 I’m talking about the other person’s sense of what is right and wrong, not yours. Why is my freedom being judged by what someone else thinks? 30 Suppose I give thanks when I eat. Then why should I be blamed for eating food I thank God for?
31 So eat and drink and do everything else for the glory of God. 32 Don’t do anything that causes another person to trip and fall. It doesn’t matter if that person is a Jew or a Greek or a member of God’s church. 33 Follow my example. I try to please everyone in every way. I’m not looking out for what is good for me. I’m looking out for the interests of others. I do it so that they might be saved. 11 1 Follow my example, just as I follow the example of Christ.
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