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Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Daily Bible readings that follow the church liturgical year, with sequential stories told across multiple weeks.

Duration: 1245 days

Psalm 24

Psalm 24^[a]

A psalm of David.

24 The Lord owns the earth and all it contains,
the world and all who live in it.
²For he set its foundation upon the seas,
and established^[b] it upon the ocean currents.^[c]
³Who is allowed to ascend^[d] the mountain of the Lord?^[e]
Who may go up to his holy dwelling place?
⁴The one whose deeds are blameless
and whose motives are pure,^[f]
who does not lie,^[g]
or make promises with no intention of keeping them.^[h]
⁵Such godly people are rewarded by the Lord,^[i]
and vindicated by the God who delivers them.^[j]
⁶Such purity characterizes the people who seek his favor,
Jacob’s descendants, who pray to him.^[k] (Selah)
⁷Look up,^[l] you gates.
Rise up,^[m] you eternal doors.
Then the majestic king^[n] will enter.^[o]
⁸Who is this majestic king?^[p]
The Lord who is strong and mighty.
The Lord who is mighty in battle.
⁹Look up, you gates.
Rise up, you eternal doors.
Then the majestic king will enter.
¹⁰Who is this majestic king?
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies.^[q]
He is the majestic king. (Selah)

Footnotes

Psalm 24:1 sn Psalm 24. The psalmist affirms the universal kingship of the sovereign creator, reminds his people that only the morally pure are qualified to worship him, and celebrates his splendor as a mighty warrior king.
Psalm 24:2 tn The prefixed verbal form is understood as a preterite, referring to the creation of the world.
Psalm 24:2 sn He…established it upon the ocean currents. The description reflects ancient Israelite prescientific cosmology, which is based on outward appearances. The language also suggests that God’s creative work involved the subjugation of chaos, symbolized by the sea.
Psalm 24:3 tn The imperfects in v. 3 are modal, expressing potential or permission.
Psalm 24:3 sn In this context the Lord’s mountain probably refers to Zion/Jerusalem (see Isa 2:2-3).
Psalm 24:4 tn Heb “the innocent of hands and the pure of heart.” The “hands” allude to one’s actions, the “heart” to one’s thought life and motives.
Psalm 24:4 tn Heb “who does not lift up for emptiness my life.” The first person pronoun on נַפְשִׁי (nafshi, “my life”) makes little sense here; many medieval Hebrew mss support the ancient versions in reading a third person pronoun “his.” The idiom “lift the life” here means to “long for” or “desire strongly.” In this context (note the reference to an oath in the following line) “emptiness” probably refers to speech (see Ps 12:2).
Psalm 24:4 tn Heb “and does not swear an oath deceitfully.”
Psalm 24:5 tn Heb “he (the righteous individual described in v. 4) lifts up a blessing from the Lord.” The singular subject is representative here, as v. 6 makes clear. The referent (godly people like the individual in v. 4) has been specified in the translation for clarity. The imperfect verbal form is generalizing; such people are typically rewarded for their deeds.
Psalm 24:5 tn “and vindication from the God of his deliverance.”
Psalm 24:6 tn Heb “this [is the] generation of the ones seeking him, the ones seeking your face, Jacob.” To “seek the Lord’s face” means to seek his favor through prayer (see 2 Sam 21:1; Pss 27:8; 105:4).sn This verse presents a somewhat idealized view of Jacob’s descendants as devoted worshipers of the Lord.
Psalm 24:7 tn Heb “lift up your heads.” The gates of the Lord’s dwelling place are here personified. The idiom “lift up the head” often means “be confident, bold” (see Judg 8:28; Job 10:15; Ps 83:2; Zech 1:21).
Psalm 24:7 tn Heb “lift yourselves up.”
Psalm 24:7 tn Or “king of glory.”
Psalm 24:7 tn Following the imperatives of the preceding lines, the prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose or result.
Psalm 24:8 sn Who is this majestic king? Perhaps the personified gates/doors ask this question, in response to the command given in v. 7.
Psalm 24:10 tn Traditionally, “the Lord of hosts,” a title which here pictures the Lord as a mighty warrior-king who leads armies into battle.

Exodus 37:1-16

The Making of the Ark

37 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood; its length was 45 inches, its width 27 inches, and its height 27 inches. ²He overlaid it with pure gold, inside and out, and he made a surrounding border^[a] of gold for it. ³He cast four gold rings for it that he put^[b] on its four feet, with^[c] two rings on one side and two rings on the other side. ⁴He made poles of acacia wood, overlaid them with gold, ⁵and put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark in order to carry the ark.

⁶He made^[d] an atonement lid of pure gold; its length was 45 inches, and its width was 27 inches. ⁷He made two cherubim of gold; he made them of hammered metal on the two ends of the atonement lid, ⁸one cherub on one end^[e] and one cherub on the other end.^[f] He made the cherubim from the atonement lid on its two ends. ⁹The cherubim were spreading their wings^[g] upward, overshadowing the atonement lid with their wings. The cherubim^[h] faced each other,^[i] looking toward the atonement lid.^[j]

The Making of the Table

¹⁰Bezalel^[k] made the table of acacia wood; its length was 36 inches, its width 18 inches, and its height 27 inches. ¹¹He overlaid it with pure gold, and he made a surrounding border of gold for it. ¹²He made a surrounding frame for it about three inches wide, and he made a surrounding border of gold for its frame. ¹³He cast four gold rings for it and attached the rings at the four corners where its four legs were. ¹⁴The rings were close to the frame to provide places for the poles to carry the table. ¹⁵He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold, to carry the table. ¹⁶He made the vessels which were on the table out of pure gold, its^[l] plates, its ladles, its pitchers, and its bowls, to be used in pouring out offerings.

Colossians 4:2-18

Exhortation to Pray for the Success of Paul’s Mission

²Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. ³At the same time pray^[a] for us too, that^[b] God may open a door for the message^[c] so that we may proclaim^[d] the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.^[e] ⁴Pray that I may make it known as I should.^[f] ⁵Conduct yourselves^[g] with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities. ⁶Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone.

Personal Greetings and Instructions

⁷Tychicus, a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave^[h] in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.^[i] ⁸I sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing^[j] and that he may encourage your hearts. ⁹I sent him^[k] with Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.^[l] They will tell^[m] you about everything here.

¹⁰Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him). ¹¹And Jesus who is called Justus also sends greetings. In terms of Jewish converts,^[n] these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. ¹²Epaphras, who is one of you and a slave^[o] of Christ,^[p] greets you. He is always struggling in prayer on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured^[q] in all the will of God. ¹³For I can testify that he has worked hard^[r] for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. ¹⁴Our dear friend Luke the physician and Demas^[s] greet you. ¹⁵Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters^[t] who are in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church that meets in her^[u] house.^[v] ¹⁶And after^[w] you have read this letter, have it read^[x] to the church of Laodicea. In turn, read the letter from Laodicea^[y] as well. ¹⁷And tell Archippus, “See to it that you complete the ministry you received in the Lord.”

¹⁸I, Paul, write this greeting by my own hand.^[z] Remember my chains.^[aa] Grace be with you.^[ab]

Footnotes

Colossians 4:3 tn Though προσευχόμενοι (proseuchomenoi) is an adverbial participle related to the previous imperative, προσκαρτερεῖτε (proskartereite), it is here translated as an independent clause due to requirements of contemporary English style.
Colossians 4:3 tn The ἵνα (hina) clause has been rendered as substantival here, indicating the content of the prayer rather than the purpose for it. These two ideas are very similar and difficult to differentiate in this passage, but the conjunction ἵνα following a verb of praying is generally regarded as giving the content of the prayer.
Colossians 4:3 tn Grk “that God may open for us a door of the word to speak the mystery of Christ.” The construction in Greek is somewhat awkward in this clause. The translation attempts to simplify this structure somewhat and yet communicate exactly what Paul is asking for.
Colossians 4:3 tn Or “so that we may speak.”
Colossians 4:3 tn Or “in prison.”
Colossians 4:4 tn The phrase begins with the ἵνα (hina) clause and is subordinate to the imperative προσκαρτερεῖτε (proskartereite) in v. 2. The reference to the idea that Paul must make it known indicates that this clause is probably best viewed as purpose and not content, like the ἵνα of v. 3. It is the second purpose stated in the context; the first is expressed through the infinitive λαλῆσαι (lalēsai) in v. 3. The term “pray” at the beginning of the sentence is intended to pick up the imperative of v. 3.
Colossians 4:5 tn Grk “walk.” The verb περιπατέω (peripateō) is a common NT idiom for one’s lifestyle, behavior, or manner of conduct (L&N 41.11).
Colossians 4:7 tn See the note on “fellow slave” in 1:7.
Colossians 4:7 tn Grk “all things according to me.”
Colossians 4:8 tn Grk “the things concerning us.”
Colossians 4:9 tn The Greek sentence continues v. 9 with the phrase “with Onesimus,” but this is awkward in English, so the verb “I sent” was inserted and a new sentence started at the beginning of v. 9 in the translation.
Colossians 4:9 tn Grk “is of you.”
Colossians 4:9 tn Grk “will make known to you.” This has been simplified in the translation to “will tell.”
Colossians 4:11 tn Grk “those of the circumcision.” The verse as a whole is difficult to translate because it is unclear whether Paul is saying (1) that the only people working with him are Jewish converts at the time the letter is being written or previously, or (2) that Aristarchus, Mark, and Jesus Justus were the only Jewish Christians who ever worked with him. Verses 12-14 appear to indicate that Luke and Demas, who were Gentiles, were also working currently with Paul. This is the view adopted in the translation. See M. J. Harris, Colossians and Philemon (EGGNT), 207-8.
Colossians 4:12 tn See the note on “fellow slave” in 1:7.
Colossians 4:12 tc ‡ Strong Alexandrian testimony, along with some other witnesses, suggests that ᾿Ιησοῦ (Iēsou, “Jesus”) follows Χριστοῦ (Christou, “Christ”; so א A B C I L 0278 33 81 365 629 1175 2464 al lat), but the evidence for the shorter reading is diverse (P⁴⁶ D F G Ψ 075 1505 1739 1881 M it sy Ambst Hier), cutting across all major textual groups. There can be little motivation for omitting the name of Jesus; hence, the shorter reading is judged to be that of the initial text. NA²⁸ has ᾿Ιησοῦ in brackets, indicating some doubts as to its authenticity.
Colossians 4:12 tn Or “filled.”
Colossians 4:13 tn Grk “pain.” This word appears only three times in the NT outside of this verse (Rev 16:10, 11; 21:4) where the translation “pain” makes sense. For the present verse it has been translated “worked hard.” See BDAG 852 s.v. πόνος 1.
Colossians 4:14 sn Demas is most likely the same individual mentioned in Phlm 24 and 2 Tim 4:10. Apparently, he later on abandoned the faith because of his love of the world.
Colossians 4:15 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.
Colossians 4:15 tc If the name Nympha is accented with a circumflex on the ultima (Νυμφᾶν, Numphan), then it refers to a man; if it receives an acute accent on the penult (Νύμφαν), the reference is to a woman. Scribes that considered Nympha to be a man’s name had the corresponding masculine pronoun αὐτοῦ here (autou, “his”; so D [F G] Ψ [1505] M), while those who saw Nympha as a woman read the feminine αὐτῆς here (autēs, “her”; B 0278 6 1739^[*^] 1881 sa). Several mss (א A C P 075 33 81 104 326 1175 2464 bo) have αὐτῶν (autōn, “their”), perhaps because of indecisiveness on the gender of Nympha, perhaps because they included ἀδελφούς (adelphous, here translated “brothers and sisters”) as part of the referent. The harder reading is certainly αὐτῆς, and thus Nympha should be considered a woman.
Colossians 4:15 tn Grk “the church in her house.” The meaning is that Paul sends greetings to the church that meets at Nympha’s house.
Colossians 4:16 tn Grk “when.”
Colossians 4:16 tn The construction beginning with the imperative ποιήσατε ἵνα…ἀναγνωσθῇ (poiēsate hina…anagnōsthē) should be translated as “have it read” where the conjunction ἵνα functions to mark off its clause as the direct object of the imperative ποιήσατε. The content of the clause (“reading the letter”) is what Paul commands with the imperative ποιήσατε. Thus the translation “have it read” has been used here.
Colossians 4:16 sn This letter is otherwise unknown, but some have suggested that it is the letter known today as Ephesians.
Colossians 4:18 tn Grk “the greeting by my hand, of Paul.”
Colossians 4:18 tn Or “my imprisonment.”
Colossians 4:18 tc Most witnesses, including a few important ones (א² D Ψ 075 0278 M lat sy), conclude this letter with ἀμήν (amēn, “amen”). Such a conclusion is routinely added by scribes to NT books because a few of these books originally had such an ending (cf. Rom 16:27; Gal 6:18; Jude 25). A majority of Greek witnesses have the concluding ἀμήν in every NT book except Acts, James, and 3 John (and even in these books, ἀμήν is found in some witnesses). It is thus a predictable variant. Further, the external evidence for the omission is quite compelling (א* A B C F G 048 6 33 81 1739* 1881 sa). The strongly preferred reading is therefore the omission of ἀμήν.

New English Translation (NET)

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Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Psalm 24[a]

A psalm of David.

Footnotes

The Making of the Ark

The Making of the Table

Footnotes

Exhortation to Pray for the Success of Paul’s Mission

Personal Greetings and Instructions

Footnotes

Psalm 24^[a]