Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 11[a]
For the music director, by David.
11 In the Lord I have taken shelter.[b]
How can you say to me,[c]
“Flee to a mountain like a bird.[d]
2 For look, the wicked[e] prepare[f] their bows,[g]
they put their arrows on the strings,
to shoot in the darkness[h] at the morally upright.[i]
3 When the foundations[j] are destroyed,
what can the godly[k] accomplish?”[l]
4 The Lord is in his holy temple;[m]
the Lord’s throne is in heaven.[n]
His eyes[o] watch;[p]
his eyes[q] examine[r] all people.[s]
5 The Lord approves of[t] the godly,[u]
but he[v] hates[w] the wicked and those who love to do violence.[x]
6 May he rain down[y] burning coals[z] and brimstone[aa] on the wicked!
A whirlwind is what they deserve.[ab]
7 Certainly[ac] the Lord is just;[ad]
he rewards godly deeds.[ae]
The upright will experience his favor.[af]
The Building of the Temple
6 In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites left Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, during the month Ziv[a] (the second month), he began building the Lord’s temple. 2 The temple King Solomon built for the Lord was 90 feet[b] long, 30 feet[c] wide, and 45 feet[d] high. 3 The porch in front of the main hall of the temple was 30 feet[e] long, corresponding to the width of the temple. It was 15 feet[f] wide, extending out from the front of the temple. 4 He made framed windows for the temple. 5 He built an extension all around the walls of the temple’s main hall and Holy Place and constructed side rooms in it.[g] 6 The bottom floor of the extension was 7½ feet[h] wide, the middle floor 9 feet[i] wide, and the third floor 10½ feet[j] wide. He made ledges[k] on the temple’s outer walls so the beams would not have to be inserted into the walls.[l] 7 As the temple was being built, only stones shaped at the quarry[m] were used; the sound of hammers, pickaxes, or any other iron tool was not heard at the temple while it was being built. 8 The entrance to the bottom[n] level of side rooms was on the south side of the temple; stairs went up[o] to the middle floor and then on up to the third[p] floor. 9 He finished building the temple[q] and covered it[r] with rafters[s] and boards made of cedar.[t] 10 He built an extension all around the temple; it was 7½ feet high[u] and it was attached to the temple by cedar beams.
11 [v] The Lord’s message came to Solomon: 12 “As for this temple you are building, if you follow[w] my rules, observe[x] my regulations, and obey all my commandments,[y] I will fulfill through you the promise I made to your father David.[z] 13 I will live among the Israelites and will not abandon my people Israel.”
14 So Solomon finished building the temple.[aa]
Farewell Comments
21 Tychicus, my[a] dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you, so that you too may know about my circumstances,[b] how I am doing. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our circumstances[c] and that he may encourage your hearts.
23 Peace to the brothers and sisters,[d] and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be[e] with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.[f]
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