Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

¹ ¶ O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good; for his mercy endures for ever.

² Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the enemy

³ and gathered them out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

⁴ They wandered lost in the wilderness, alone and out of the way; they found no city to dwell in.

⁵ Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

⁶ Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

⁷ And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

⁸ Oh that men would praise the LORD for his mercy and for his wonderful works unto the sons of Adam!

⁹ For he satisfies the soul that is destitute and fills the hungry soul with goodness.

⁴³ Who is wise and will observe these things and shall understand the mercies of the LORD?

10 ¶ Israel is an empty vine. Shall he bring forth fruit unto himself? According to the multiplication of his fruit he has multiplied altars; according to the goodness of his land they have bettered their statues.

² Their heart has wandered; now they shall be found guilty: he shall break down their altars, he shall destroy their statues.

³ For now they shall say, We have no king, because we did not fear the LORD; what then should a king do to us?

⁴ They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment shall spring up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.

⁵ The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn because of the calf, and the religious persons thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, which shall be made to vanish away.

⁶ It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to King Jareb: Ephraim shall be ashamed, and Israel shall be confused at his own counsel.

⁷ As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the surface of the waters.

⁸ And the altars of Aven shall be destroyed, the sin of Israel: the thorn and the thistle shall grow upon their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

⁹ ¶ O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah; there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the sons of iniquity did not overtake them.

¹⁰ And I shall chastise them as I desire; and the peoples shall gather themselves over them, when they shall be bound in their two furrows.

¹¹ Ephraim is a heifer that is taught and loves to tread out the wheat; but I shall pass over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to draw; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.

¹² Sow yourselves unto righteousness, reap yourselves unto mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is the time to seek the LORD until he comes and teaches you righteousness.

¹³ Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye shall eat the fruit of lies because thou didst trust in thy way and in the multitude of thy mighty men.

¹⁴ Therefore, in thy peoples a tumult shall arise, and all thy fortresses shall be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her sons.

¹⁵ So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness; in the morning the king of Israel shall utterly be cut off.

¹⁷ ¶ And as he was leaving to continue his way, there came one running, who kneeled before him and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

¹⁸ And Jesus said unto him, Why dost thou call me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

¹⁹ Thou knowest the commandments: Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

²⁰ And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these I have observed from my youth.

²¹ Then Jesus beholding him loved him and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell all that thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, {Gr. stauros – stake} and follow me taking up thy stake (if thy desire is to be perfect).

²² But he, saddened by this word, went away grieved, for he had great possessions.