Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Book II: Psalms 42–72

47 Then he brought me back to the entrance of the house, and I saw water flowing eastward from under the threshold of the house, for the house faced east. The water flowed down from under the right side of the house, south of the altar. ² Next he led me out through the north gate and took me around outside to the outer gate, by way of the east gate, where I saw water trickling from the south side. ³ With a line in his hand the man went out toward the east and measured a thousand cubits [one-third of a mile] and had me wade across the stream; the water came up to my ankles. ⁴ He measured another thousand and had me wade through the water, which reached my knees. He measured another thousand and had me wade through water up to my waist. ⁵ Finally he measured a thousand, and it was a river I couldn’t cross on foot, because the water was so deep one would have to swim across; it was a river that could not be waded through. ⁶ He asked me, “Human being, have you seen this?” Then, guiding me, he got me back to the riverbank. ⁷ After being returned, I saw on the bank of the river a great number of trees on the one side and on the other. ⁸ He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and continues down to the ‘Aravah. When it enters the sea, the sea of stagnant water, [the Dead Sea,] its water will become fresh. ⁹ When this happens, swarms of all kinds of living creatures will be able to live in it wherever the streams flow; so that there will be a vast number of fish; for this water is flowing there, so that, wherever the river goes, everything will be restored and able to live. ¹⁰ Then fishermen will stand on its shores spreading their nets all the way from ‘Ein-Gedi to ‘Ein-‘Eglayim. There will be as many kinds of fish there as in the Great Sea, [the Mediterranean,] a great variety. ¹¹ However, its mud flats and marshes will not become fresh but will remain salty. ¹² On both riverbanks will grow all kinds of trees for food; their leaves will not dry up, nor will their fruit fail. There will be a different kind of fruit each month, because the water flows from the sanctuary, so that this fruit will be edible, and the leaves will have healing properties.”

¹⁷ But you, dear friends, keep in mind the words spoken in advance by the emissaries of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. ¹⁸ They told you, “During the acharit-hayamim there will be scoffers following their own godless passions.” ¹⁹ These are the people who cause divisions. They are controlled by their impulses, because they don’t have the Spirit.

²⁰ But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith, and pray in union with the Ruach HaKodesh. ²¹ Thus keep yourselves in God’s love, as you wait for our Lord Yeshua the Messiah to give you the mercy that leads to eternal life.

²² Rebuke some who are disputing; ²³ save others, snatching them out of the fire; and to yet others, show mercy, but with fear, hating even the clothes stained by their vices.

²⁴ Now,