Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 147[a]
God’s Word Restores Jerusalem
1 Hallelujah!
I
How good to sing praise to our God;
how pleasant to give fitting praise.(A)
2 The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem,
and gathers the dispersed of Israel,(B)
3 Healing the brokenhearted,
and binding up their wounds.(C)
4 He numbers the stars,
and gives to all of them their names.(D)
5 Great is our Lord, vast in power,
with wisdom beyond measure.(E)
6 The Lord gives aid to the poor,
but casts the wicked to the ground.(F)
II
7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
with the lyre make music to our God,(G)
8 [b]Who covers the heavens with clouds,
provides rain for the earth,
makes grass sprout on the mountains,(H)
9 Who gives animals their food
and young ravens what they cry for.(I)
10 [c]He takes no delight in the strength of horses,
no pleasure in the runner’s stride.(J)
11 Rather the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
those who put their hope in his mercy.
20 He has not done this for any other nation;
of such laws they know nothing.
Hallelujah!
10 The just take care of their livestock,
but the compassion of the wicked is cruel.[a]
11 Those who till their own land have food in plenty,
but those who engage in idle pursuits lack sense.[b](A)
12 A wicked person desires the catch of evil people,
but the root of the righteous will bear fruit.[c]
13 By the sin of their lips the wicked are ensnared,
but the just escape from a tight spot.
14 From the fruit of their mouths people have their fill of good,(B)
and the works of their hands come back upon them.[d]
15 The way of fools is right in their own eyes,
but those who listen to advice are the wise.
16 Fools immediately show their anger,
but the shrewd conceal contempt.
17 Whoever speaks honestly testifies truly,
but the deceitful make lying witnesses.[e](C)
18 The babble of some people is like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise is healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
the lying tongue, for only a moment.[f]
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil,
but those who counsel peace have joy.
21 No harm befalls the just,
but the wicked are overwhelmed with misfortune.
2 It is I, Paul, who am telling you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you.(A) 3 Once again I declare to every man who has himself circumcised(B) that he is bound to observe the entire law.[a] 4 You are separated from Christ, you who are trying to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 (C)For through the Spirit, by faith, we await the hope of righteousness. 6 (D)For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.[b]
Be Not Misled.[c] 7 You were running well;[d] who hindered you from following [the] truth? 8 (E)That enticement does not come from the one who called you.[e] 9 A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough.(F) 10 I am confident of you in the Lord that you will not take a different view, and that the one who is troubling you will bear the condemnation, whoever he may be.(G) 11 As for me, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision,[f] why am I still being persecuted? In that case, the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.(H) 12 Would that those who are upsetting you might also castrate themselves![g]
Freedom for Service.[h] 13 For you were called for freedom, brothers.(I) But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve[i] one another through love. 14 For the whole law(J) is fulfilled in one statement, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”[j] 15 But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.