Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Blessing of Unity
Psalm 133
1 A Song of Ascents. Of David.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
for brothers to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,
coming down upon the beard—Aaron’s beard—
coming down on the collar of his robes.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
coming down upon the mountains of Zion.
For there Adonai commanded the blessing
—life forevermore!
The King’s Dream and Demand
2 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams. His spirit was troubled and sleep escaped him. 2 So the king issued an order to summon the magicians, astrologers, sorcerers and Chaldeans in order to explain to the king his dreams. When they came and stood before the king, 3 he said to them, “I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit is anxious to understand the dream.”
4 Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic[a], “May the king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will declare the interpretation.”
5 The king answered the Chaldeans saying, “I firmly decree: If you do not make the dream and its meaning known to me, you will be torn limb from limb and your houses reduced to rubble. 6 But if you tell the dream and its meaning, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and its meaning!”
7 They responded a second time, saying, “Let the king tell his servants the dream and we will declare the interpretation.”
8 The king replied saying, “I know for sure that you are buying time since you see that I have firmly decreed 9 that if you do not reveal the dream to me, there is only one verdict[b] for you. You have conspired to say something false and fraudulent, until such a time as things might change. So then, tell me the dream and I will know that you can tell me its meaning.”
10 The Chaldeans answered the king saying, “There is no man on earth who can meet the king’s demand. For no great king, however great or mighty, has ever asked such a thing from any magician, astrologer or Chaldean. 11 What the king asks is too difficult. There is no one who could declare it to the king, except the gods whose dwelling is not with mortals!”
12 Because of this, the king became furiously angry and gave orders to execute all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree went out that the wise men were about to be slaughtered. They also sought Daniel and his companions to execute them. 14 Then Daniel spoke with tact and discretion to Arioch, who was captain of the king’s guard and who had set out to execute the wise men of Babylon. 15 He spoke up and said to Arioch, the king’s captain, “Why is the king’s decree so urgent?” Then Arioch informed Daniel about the matter.
16 So Daniel went in and asked the king to grant him time, so that he might disclose the interpretation to the king. 17 Then Daniel went to his house and informed his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah about the matter 18 so they would request mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not perish along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
The Dream Revealed to Daniel
19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven 20 and answered, saying:
“Blessed be the Name of God forever and ever,
for wisdom and might are His.
21 He changes times and seasons.
He removes kings and installs kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
22 He reveals deep and hidden things.
He knows what lies in darkness
and light dwells with Him.
23 To You, O God of my fathers,
I give thanks and praise!
For You gave me wisdom and power.
You have made known to me what we asked of You.
You revealed to us the word of the king.”
Prayer for Courage
23 As soon as they were released, Peter and John went to their own people and reported all that the ruling kohanim and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “O Sovereign Master, ‘You made heaven and earth and the sea, and everything in them.’ [a] 25 You said by the Ruach ha-Kodesh, through the mouth of our father David Your servant,
‘Why did the nations rage
and the peoples plot foolish things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand
and the rulers were gathered together
against Adonai and against His
Anointed One.’[b]
27 “For truly both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together in this city against Your holy Servant Yeshua, whom You anointed. 28 They did whatever Your hand and Your purpose predetermined to happen. 29 And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant Your servants to speak Your word with utmost courage— 30 while You stretch out Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy Servant Yeshua.”
31 When they had prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken. And they were all filled with the Ruach ha-Kodesh and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.