Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 97
The Majestic King
1 The Lord reigns! Let the earth rejoice;
let the many coasts and islands be glad.(A)
2 Clouds and total darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.(B)
3 Fire goes before him
and burns up his foes on every side.(C)
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.(D)
5 The mountains melt like wax
at the presence of the Lord—
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.(E)
7 All who serve carved images,
those who boast in worthless idols, will be put to shame.(H)
All the gods[a] must worship him.(I)
Prologue
1 I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach(A) 2 until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.(B) 3 After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.(C)
The Holy Spirit Promised
4 While he was[a] with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise.(D) “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”(E)
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.(F) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”(G)
The Ascension
9 After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them.(H) 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.”(I)
Psalm 47
God Our King
For the choir director. A psalm of the sons of Korah.
1 Clap your hands, all you peoples;(A)
shout to God with a jubilant cry.(B)
2 For the Lord, the Most High, is awe-inspiring,
a great King over the whole earth.(C)
3 He subdues peoples under us
and nations under our feet.(D)
4 He chooses for us our inheritance—
the pride of Jacob, whom he loves.(E)Selah
Psalm 93
God’s Eternal Reign
1 The Lord reigns! He is robed in majesty;
the Lord is robed, enveloped in strength.
The world is firmly established;
it cannot be shaken.(A)
2 Your throne has been established
from the beginning;[a]
you are from eternity.(B)
3 The floods have lifted up, Lord,
the floods have lifted up their voice;
the floods lift up their pounding waves.(C)
4 Greater than the roar of a huge torrent—
the mighty breakers of the sea—
the Lord on high is majestic.(D)
Prayer for Spiritual Insight
15 This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,[a] would give you the Spirit[b](A) of wisdom and revelation(B) in the knowledge of him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope(C) of his calling,(D) what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power(E) toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.
God’s Power in Christ
20 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand(F) in the heavens(G)— 21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given,[c](H) not only in this age but also in the one to come.(I) 22 And he subjected everything under his feet[d](J) and appointed him[e] as head(K) over everything for the church, 23 which is his body,(L) the fullness(M) of the one who fills all things(N) in every way.
44 He told them, “These are my words(A) that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets,(B) and the Psalms(C) must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds(D) to understand(E) the Scriptures. 46 He also said to them, “This is what is written:[a] The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day,(F) 47 and repentance for[b] forgiveness of sins(G) will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations,(H) beginning at Jerusalem.(I) 48 You are witnesses(J) of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you[c] what my Father promised.(K) As for you, stay in the city[d] until you are empowered[e](L) from on high.”
The Ascension of Jesus
50 Then he led them out to the vicinity of Bethany,(M) and lifting up his hands(N) he blessed them. 51 And while he was blessing them, he left them and was carried up into heaven.(O) 52 After worshiping him,(P) they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.(Q) 53 And they were continually in the temple praising God.[f](R)
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