Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Mary Praises God
46 Mary said,
“My soul praises the Lord’s greatness!
47 My spirit finds its joy in God, my Savior,
48 because he has looked favorably on me, his humble servant.
“From now on, all people will call me blessed
49 because the Almighty has done great things to me.
His name is holy.
50 For those who fear him,
his mercy lasts throughout every generation.
51 “He displayed his mighty power.
He scattered those who think too highly of themselves.
52 He pulled strong rulers from their thrones.
He honored humble people.
53 He fed hungry people with good food.
He sent rich people away with nothing.
54 “He remembered to help his servant Israel forever.
55 This is the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his descendants.”
The Lord Will Be Jerusalem’s Glory
60 Arise! Shine! Your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has dawned.
2 Darkness now covers the earth,
and thick darkness covers the nations.
But the Lord dawns,
and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
and kings will come to the brightness of your dawn.
4 “Look up, look around, and watch.
All of your people assemble and come to you.
Your sons come from far away.
Your daughters are carried in their arms.
5 Then you will see this and rejoice,
and your heart will be thrilled with joy,
because the riches of the sea will be brought to you.
The wealth of the nations will come to you.
6 “Many camels will cover your ⌞land⌟,
young camels from Midian and Ephah.
Everyone from Sheba will come.
They will bring gold and incense.
They will sing the praises of the Lord.
67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,
68 “Praise the Lord God of Israel!
He has come to take care of his people
and to set them free.
69 He has raised up a mighty Savior for us
in the family of his servant David.
70 He made this promise through his holy prophets long ago.
71 He promised to save us from our enemies
and from the power of all who hate us.
72 He has shown his mercy to our ancestors
and remembered his holy promise,[a]
73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham.
74 He promised to rescue us from our enemies’ power
so that we could serve him without fear
75 by being holy and honorable as long as we live.
76 “You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High.
You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way.
77 You will make his people know that they can be saved
through the forgiveness of their sins.
78 A new day will dawn on us from above
because our God is loving and merciful.
79 He will give light to those who live in the dark
and in death’s shadow.
He will guide us into the way of peace.”
80 The child John grew and became spiritually strong. He lived in the desert until the day he appeared to the people of Israel.
Copyright © 1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God’s Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.