Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Praise to God for His Loyal Love
118 Give thanks to Yahweh for he is good,
for his loyal love is forever.
2 Let Israel say,
“His loyal love is forever.”
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to Yah.[a]
20 This is the gate of Yahweh,
through which the righteous will enter.
21 I will give thanks to you for you have answered me,
and you have become my salvation.[b]
22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is from Yahweh;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
24 This is the day Yahweh has worked;[c]
let us rejoice and be glad in him.[d]
25 O Yahweh, please save;
O Yahweh, please grant success.
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of Yahweh.
We bless you[e] from the house[f] of Yahweh.
27 Yahweh is God, and he has given us light.[g]
Bind the festal sacrifice[h] with cords[i]
to the horns[j] of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you.
You are my God; I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to Yahweh for he is good,
for his loyal love is forever.
The Triumphal Entry
28 And after he[a] had said these things, he traveled on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 And it happened that when he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, to the hill[b] called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, ‘Go into the village in front of you, in which as you[c] enter you will find a colt tied, on which no person has ever[d] sat, and untie it and[e] bring it.[f] 31 And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’[g] you will say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32 So those who were sent went and[h] found it[i] just as he had told them. 33 And as[j] they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ 34 So they said, ‘The Lord has need of it.’ 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they put Jesus on it. 36 And as[k] he was going along, they were spreading out their cloaks on the road. 37 Now as[l] he was drawing near by this time to the descent from the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began rejoicing to praise God with a loud voice for all the miracles that they had seen, 38 saying,
“Blessed is the king,
the one who comes in the name of the Lord![m]
Peace in heaven
and glory in the highest!”
39 And some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 And he answered and[n] said, “I tell you that[o] if these keep silent, the stones will cry out!”
The Servant’s Vindication
4 The Lord Yahweh has given me the tongue of a pupil,
to know how to help the weary with a word.
He awakens morning by morning,[a]
awakens an ear for me to listen as do the pupils.
5 The Lord Yahweh has opened an ear for me,
and I, I was not rebellious.
I did not turn backwards;
6 I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;[b]
I did not hide my face from insults and spittle.
7 And the Lord Yahweh helps me,
therefore I have not been put to shame;
therefore I have set my face like flint.
And I know that I shall not be ashamed;
8 he who obtains rights for me is near.
Who will contend with me? Let us stand together.
Who is the master of my judgment? Let him approach me.
9 Look! The Lord Yahweh helps me.
Who is the one who will declare me guilty?
Look! All of them will be worn out like a garment;
the moth will eat them.
9 Be gracious to me, O Yahweh,
because I have distress.
My eye wastes away because of vexation,
along with my soul and my body.[a]
10 For my life is at an end with sorrow,
and my years with sighing.
My strength stumbles because of my iniquity,
and my bones waste away.
11 Because of all my adversaries I have become a disgrace,
especially to my neighbors,
and a dread to my acquaintances.
Those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have become forgotten like one dead, out of mind.[b]
I am like a destroyed vessel.
13 For I hear the rumor of many,
“Terror on every side!”
When conspiring together against me,
they have plotted to take my life.
14 But as for me, I trust you, O Yahweh.
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times[c] are in your hand.
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies
and from those who pursue me.
16 Shine your face upon your servant.
Save me by your loyal love.
Christ’s Humiliation and Exaltation
5 Think this in[a] yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider being equal with God something to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself
by[b] taking the form of a slave,
by[c] becoming in the likeness of people.
And being found in appearance like a man,
8 he humbled himself
by[d] becoming obedient to the point of death,
that is, death on a cross.
9 Therefore also God exalted him
and graciously granted him the name above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,
of those in heaven and of those on earth and of those under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The Lord’s Supper
14 And when the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired[a] to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you that I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took in hand a cup, and[b] after[c] giving thanks he said, “Take this and share it[d] among yourselves. 18 For I tell you,[e] from now on I will not drink of the product of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 And he took bread, and[f] after[g] giving thanks, he broke it[h] and gave it[i] to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And in the same way the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood which is poured out for you.
21 “But behold, the hand of the one who is betraying me is with me on the table! 22 For the Son of Man is going according to what has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to debate with one another who then of them it could be who was going to do this.
A Dispute About Who Is Greatest
24 And a dispute also occurred among them as to which of them was recognized as being greatest. 25 So he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles[j] lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like this! But the one who is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am in your midst as the one who serves.
28 “And you are the ones who have remained[k] with me in my trials, 29 and I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred on me, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. And you, when[l] once you have turned back,[m] strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!” 34 And he said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know me!”
The Two Swords
35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out without a money bag and a traveler’s bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?”[n] And they said, “Nothing.” 36 And he said to them, “But now the one who has a money bag must take it,[o] and likewise a traveler’s bag. And the one who does not have a sword must sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this that is written must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was counted with the criminals.’[p] For indeed, what is written[q] about me is being fulfilled.”[r] 38 So they said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords!” And he said to them, “It is adequate.”
The Prayer in Gethsemane
39 And he went away and[s] proceeded, according to his[t] custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples also followed him. 40 And when[u] he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw and knelt down[v] and[w] began to pray,[x] 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, take away this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.” [[43 And an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. 44 And being in anguish, he began praying[y] more fervently and his sweat became like drops of blood falling down to the ground.]][z] 45 And when he[aa] got up from the prayer and[ab] came to the disciples, he found them sleeping from sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and[ac] pray that you will not enter into temptation!”
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
47 While[ad] he was still speaking, behold, there came a crowd, and the one named Judas, one of the twelve, leading them. And he approached Jesus to kiss him. 48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 And when[ae] those around him saw what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” 50 And a certain one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered and[af] said, “Stop! No more of this!”[ag] And he touched his[ah] ear and[ai] healed him. 52 And Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come out against him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as against a robber? 53 Every day when[aj] I was with you in the temple courts,[ak] you did not stretch out your[al] hands against me! But this is your hour and the domain of darkness!”
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
54 And they arrested him and[am] led him[an] away and brought him[ao] into the house of the high priest. But Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they[ap] had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 And a certain female slave, seeing him sitting in the light and looking intently at him, said, “This man also was with him!” 57 But he denied it,[aq] saying, “Woman, I do not know him!” 58 And after a short time another person saw him and[ar] said, “You also are one of them!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 And after[as] about one hour had passed, someone else was insisting, saying, “In truth this man also was with him, because he is also a Galilean!” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” And immediately, while[at] he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned around and[au] looked intently at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord,[av] how he said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went outside and[aw] wept bitterly.
63 And the men who were guarding him began to mock[ax] him while[ay] they beat him,[az] 64 and after[ba] blindfolding him they repeatedly asked[bb] him,[bc] saying, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?” 65 And they were saying many other things against him, reviling him.[bd]
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
66 And when day came, the council of elders of the people gathered, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him away to their Sanhedrin,[be] 67 saying, “If you are the Christ, tell us!” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will never believe, 68 and if I ask you,[bf] you will never answer! 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you then the Son of God?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 And they said, “Why do we have need of further testimony? For we ourselves have heard it[bg] from his mouth!”
Jesus Brought Before Pilate
23 And the whole assembly of them rose up and[bh] brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us[bi] to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying he himself is Christ, a king!” 3 And Pilate asked him, saying, “Are you the king of the Jews?” And he answered him and[bj] said, “You say so.” 4 So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” 5 But they insisted, saying, “He incites the people, teaching throughout the whole of Judea and beginning from Galilee as far as here.”
Jesus Brought Before Herod
6 Now when[bk] Pilate heard this,[bl] he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he[bm] found out that he was from the jurisdiction of Herod, he sent him over to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem in those days. 8 And when[bn] Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by him. 9 So he questioned him at considerable length,[bo] but he answered nothing to him. 10 And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers also treated him with contempt, and after[bp] mocking him[bq] and[br] dressing him[bs] in glistening clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And both Herod and Pilate became friends with one another on that same day, for they had previously been enemies of one another.[bt]
Pilate Releases Barabbas
13 So Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people 14 and[bu] said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people, and behold, when I[bv] examined him[bw] before you, I found nothing in this man as basis for the accusation which you are making[bx] against him. 15 But neither did Herod, because he sent him back to us. And behold, nothing deserving death has been done[by] by him. 16 Therefore I will punish him and[bz] release him.”[ca] [cb] 18 But they all cried out in unison, saying, “Take this man away, and release for us Barabbas!” 19 (who had been thrown in prison because of a certain insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder). 20 And Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them[cc][cd] again, 21 but they kept crying out, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!” 22 So he said to them a third time, “Why? What wrong has this man done? I found no basis for an accusation deserving death[ce] in him. Therefore I will punish him and[cf] release him.”[cg] 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he be crucified. And their cries prevailed. 24 And Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 And he released the one who had been thrown into prison because of insurrection and murder, whom they were asking for, but Jesus he handed over to their will.
Jesus Is Crucified
26 And as they led him away, they seized Simon, a certain man of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and[ch] placed the cross on him, to carry it[ci] behind Jesus. 27 And a great crowd of the people were following him, and of women who were mourning and lamenting him. 28 But turning to them, Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children! 29 For behold, days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that did not give birth, and the breasts that did not nurse!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green,[cj] what will happen when it is dry?”[ck]
32 And two other criminals were also led away to be executed with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called “The Skull,” there they crucified him, and the criminals, the one on his right and the other on his left. 34 [[But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”]][cl] And they cast lots to divide his clothes. 35 And the people stood there watching, but the rulers also ridiculed him,[cm] saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if this man is the Christ[cn] of God, the Chosen One!” 36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming up and[co] offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 And there was also an inscription over him, “This is the king of the Jews.”
39 And one of the criminals who were hanged there reviled him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself—and us!” 40 But the other answered and[cp] rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, because you are undergoing the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve[cq] for what we have done. But this man has done nothing wrong!” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!” 43 And he said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus Dies on the Cross
44 And by this time it was about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour 45 because[cr] the light of the sun failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn apart down the middle. 46 And Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit!”[cs] And after he[ct] said this, he expired.
47 Now when[cu] the centurion saw what had happened, he began to praise[cv] God, saying, “Certainly this man was righteous!” 48 And all the crowds that had come together for this spectacle, when they[cw] saw the things that had happened, returned home[cx] beating their[cy] breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances, and the women who had followed him from Galilee who saw these things, stood at a distance.
Jesus Is Buried
50 And behold, a man named[cz] Joseph, who was a member of the council,[da] a good[db] and righteous man 51 (this man was not consenting to their plan and deed), from Arimathea, a Judean town,[dc] who was looking forward to the kingdom of God. 52 This man approached Pilate and[dd] asked for the body of Jesus. 53 And he took it[de] down and[df] wrapped it in a linen cloth and placed him in a tomb cut into the rock where no one had ever been placed. 54 And it was the day of preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing near. 55 And the women who had been accompanying him from Galilee followed and[dg] saw the tomb and how his body was placed. 56 And they returned and[dh] prepared fragrant spices and perfumes, and on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Jesus Brought Before Pilate
23 And the whole assembly of them rose up and[a] brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us[b] to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying he himself is Christ, a king!” 3 And Pilate asked him, saying, “Are you the king of the Jews?” And he answered him and[c] said, “You say so.” 4 So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” 5 But they insisted, saying, “He incites the people, teaching throughout the whole of Judea and beginning from Galilee as far as here.”
Jesus Brought Before Herod
6 Now when[d] Pilate heard this,[e] he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he[f] found out that he was from the jurisdiction of Herod, he sent him over to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem in those days. 8 And when[g] Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by him. 9 So he questioned him at considerable length,[h] but he answered nothing to him. 10 And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers also treated him with contempt, and after[i] mocking him[j] and[k] dressing him[l] in glistening clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And both Herod and Pilate became friends with one another on that same day, for they had previously been enemies of one another.[m]
Pilate Releases Barabbas
13 So Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people 14 and[n] said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people, and behold, when I[o] examined him[p] before you, I found nothing in this man as basis for the accusation which you are making[q] against him. 15 But neither did Herod, because he sent him back to us. And behold, nothing deserving death has been done[r] by him. 16 Therefore I will punish him and[s] release him.”[t] [u] 18 But they all cried out in unison, saying, “Take this man away, and release for us Barabbas!” 19 (who had been thrown in prison because of a certain insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder). 20 And Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them[v][w] again, 21 but they kept crying out, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!” 22 So he said to them a third time, “Why? What wrong has this man done? I found no basis for an accusation deserving death[x] in him. Therefore I will punish him and[y] release him.”[z] 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he be crucified. And their cries prevailed. 24 And Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 And he released the one who had been thrown into prison because of insurrection and murder, whom they were asking for, but Jesus he handed over to their will.
Jesus Is Crucified
26 And as they led him away, they seized Simon, a certain man of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and[aa] placed the cross on him, to carry it[ab] behind Jesus. 27 And a great crowd of the people were following him, and of women who were mourning and lamenting him. 28 But turning to them, Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children! 29 For behold, days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that did not give birth, and the breasts that did not nurse!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green,[ac] what will happen when it is dry?”[ad]
32 And two other criminals were also led away to be executed with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called “The Skull,” there they crucified him, and the criminals, the one on his right and the other on his left. 34 [[But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”]][ae] And they cast lots to divide his clothes. 35 And the people stood there watching, but the rulers also ridiculed him,[af] saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if this man is the Christ[ag] of God, the Chosen One!” 36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming up and[ah] offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 And there was also an inscription over him, “This is the king of the Jews.”
39 And one of the criminals who were hanged there reviled him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself—and us!” 40 But the other answered and[ai] rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, because you are undergoing the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve[aj] for what we have done. But this man has done nothing wrong!” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!” 43 And he said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus Dies on the Cross
44 And by this time it was about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour 45 because[ak] the light of the sun failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn apart down the middle. 46 And Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit!”[al] And after he[am] said this, he expired.
47 Now when[an] the centurion saw what had happened, he began to praise[ao] God, saying, “Certainly this man was righteous!” 48 And all the crowds that had come together for this spectacle, when they[ap] saw the things that had happened, returned home[aq] beating their[ar] breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances, and the women who had followed him from Galilee who saw these things, stood at a distance.
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