Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
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1 Here is the message about Judah and Jerusalem that was revealed to Isaiah son of Amoz during the time when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah reigned over Judah.[a]
10 Listen to the Lord’s message,
you leaders of Sodom![a]
Pay attention to our God’s rebuke,[b]
people of Gomorrah!
11 “Of what importance to me are your many sacrifices?”[c]
says the Lord.
“I have had my fill[d] of burnt sacrifices,
of rams and the fat from steers.
The blood of bulls, lambs, and goats
I do not want.[e]
12 When you enter my presence,
do you actually think I want this—
animals trampling on my courtyards?[f]
13 Do not bring any more meaningless[g] offerings;
I consider your incense detestable![h]
You observe new moon festivals, Sabbaths, and convocations,
but I cannot tolerate sin-stained celebrations![i]
14 I hate your new moon festivals and assemblies;
they are a burden
that I am tired of carrying.
15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I look the other way;[j]
when you offer your many prayers,
I do not listen,
because your hands are covered with blood.[k]
16 [l] Wash! Cleanse yourselves!
Remove your sinful deeds[m]
from my sight.
Stop sinning.
17 Learn to do what is right.
Promote justice.
Give the oppressed reason to celebrate.[n]
Take up the cause of the orphan.
Defend the rights of the widow.[o]
18 [p] Come, let’s consider your options,”[q] says the Lord.
“Though your sins have stained you like the color red,
you can become white[r] like snow;
though they are as easy to see as the color scarlet,
you can become[s] white like wool.[t]
19 If you have a willing attitude and obey,[u]
then you will again eat the good crops of the land.
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
you will be devoured[v] by the sword.”
Know for certain that the Lord has spoken.[w]
Psalm 50[a]
A psalm by Asaph.
50 El, God, the Lord[b] has spoken,
and summoned the earth to come from the east and west.[c]
2 From Zion, the most beautiful of all places,[d]
God has come in splendor.[e]
3 “May our God come
and not be silent.”
Consuming fire goes ahead of him,
and all around him a storm rages.[f]
4 He summons the heavens above,
as well as the earth, so that he might judge his people.[g]
5 He says:[h]
“Assemble my covenant people before me,[i]
those who ratified a covenant with me by sacrifice.”[j]
6 The heavens declare his fairness,[k]
for God is judge.[l] (Selah)
7 He says:[m]
“Listen, my people. I am speaking!
Listen, Israel. I am accusing you.[n]
I am God, your God!
8 I am not condemning[o] you because of your sacrifices,
or because of your burnt sacrifices that you continually offer me.[p]
People Commended for Their Faith
11 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see. 2 For by it the people of old[a] received God’s commendation.[b] 3 By faith we understand that the worlds[c] were set in order at God’s command,[d] so that the visible has its origin in the invisible.[e]
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place he would later receive as an inheritance, and he went out without understanding where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as a foreigner[a] in the promised land as though it were a foreign country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were fellow heirs[b] of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with firm foundations,[c] whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith, even though Sarah herself was barren and he was too old,[d] he received the ability to procreate,[e] because he regarded the one who had given the promise to be trustworthy. 12 So in fact children[f] were fathered by one man—and this one as good as dead—like the number of stars in the sky and like the innumerable grains of sand[g] on the seashore.[h] 13 These all died in faith without receiving the things promised,[i] but they saw them in the distance and welcomed them and acknowledged that they were strangers and foreigners[j] on the earth. 14 For those who speak in such a way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 In fact, if they had been thinking of the land that they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is,[k] they aspire to a better land, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is well pleased[a] to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions[b] and give to the poor.[c] Provide yourselves purses that do not wear out—a treasure in heaven[d] that never decreases,[e] where no thief approaches and no moth[f] destroys. 34 For where your treasure[g] is, there your heart will be also.
Call to Faithful Stewardship
35 “Get dressed for service[h] and keep your lamps burning;[i] 36 be like people[j] waiting for their master to come back from the wedding celebration,[k] so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 Blessed are those slaves[l] whom their master finds alert[m] when he returns! I tell you the truth,[n] he will dress himself to serve,[o] have them take their place at the table,[p] and will come[q] and wait on them![r] 38 Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night[s] and finds them alert,[t] blessed are those slaves![u] 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief[v] was coming, he would not have let[w] his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”[x]
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