Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Psalm 93

¹⁶ Some Benjaminites and Judahites also came to David at the fortress. ¹⁷ David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you’ve come to me with good intentions in order to help me, then we will join forces. But if you’ve come to betray me to my enemies, though I’ve done no wrong, then may our ancestors’ God see it and punish you.”

¹⁸ Then a spirit took hold of Amasai, the leader of the Thirty:

Then David received them, and put them at the head of his troops.

¹⁹ Some of the Manassites also joined David when he came with the Philistines for the battle against Saul. But he^[a] didn’t help them, because after considering the matter, the Philistine rulers sent him away. “He’ll rejoin his master Saul,” they said, “and it will cost us our heads.” ²⁰ When he went to Ziklag some joined him from Manasseh: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, leaders of units of a thousand in Manasseh. ²¹ They helped David against the raiding bands because they were all warriors and officers in the army. ²² Reinforcements came to David daily until there was an army as mighty as God’s army.

⁵ Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look! I’m making all things new.” He also said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” ⁶ Then he said to me, “All is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will freely give water from the life-giving spring. ⁷ Those who emerge victorious will inherit these things. I will be their God, and they will be my sons and daughters. ⁸ But for the cowardly, the faithless, the vile, the murderers, those who commit sexual immorality, those who use drugs and cast spells, the idolaters and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

New Jerusalem

⁹ Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues spoke with me. “Come,” he said, “I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” ¹⁰ He took me in a Spirit-inspired trance to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. ¹¹ The city had God’s glory. Its brilliance was like a priceless jewel, like jasper that was as clear as crystal. ¹² It had a great high wall with twelve gates. By the gates were twelve angels, and on the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel’s sons. ¹³ There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. ¹⁴ The city wall had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the Lamb’s twelve apostles.