Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

BOOK 2

For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by the sons of Korah.

47 He brought me back to the door of the temple; and behold, waters flowed out from under the threshold of the temple eastward, for the front of the temple faced toward the east. The waters came down from underneath, from the right side of the temple, on the south of the altar. ² Then he brought me out by the way of the gate northward, and led me around by the way outside to the outer gate, by the way of the gate that looks toward the east. Behold, waters ran out on the right side.

³ When the man went out eastward with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits,^[a] and he caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the ankles. ⁴ Again he measured one thousand, and caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the knees. Again he measured one thousand, and caused me to pass through waters that were to the waist. ⁵ Afterward he measured one thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the waters had risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be walked through.

⁶ He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?”

Then he brought me and caused me to return to the bank of the river. ⁷ Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. ⁸ Then he said to me, “These waters flow out toward the eastern region and will go down into the Arabah. Then they will go toward the sea and flow into the sea which will be made to flow out; and the waters will be healed. ⁹ It will happen that every living creature which swarms, in every place where the rivers come, will live. Then there will be a very great multitude of fish; for these waters have come there, and the waters of the sea will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river comes. ¹⁰ It will happen that fishermen will stand by it. From En Gedi even to En Eglaim will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be after their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceedingly many. ¹¹ But its swamps and marshes will not be healed. They will be given up to salt. ¹² By the river banks, on both sides, will grow every tree for food, whose leaf won’t wither, neither will its fruit fail. It will produce new fruit every month, because its waters issue out of the sanctuary. Its fruit will be for food, and its leaf for healing.”

¹⁷ But you, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ They said to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts.” ¹⁹ These are those who cause divisions and are sensual, not having the Spirit.

²⁰ But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. ²¹ Keep yourselves in God’s love, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. ²² On some have compassion, making a distinction, ²³ and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.

²⁴ Now to him who is able to keep them^[a] from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy, ²⁵ to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.