Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
The Majesty of God in Judgment
To the Chief Musician. On [a]stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.
76 In (A)Judah God is known;
His name is great in Israel.
2 In [b]Salem also is His tabernacle,
And His dwelling place in Zion.
3 There He broke the arrows of the bow,
The shield and sword of battle. Selah
4 You are more glorious and excellent
(B)Than the mountains of prey.
5 (C)The stouthearted were plundered;
(D)They [c]have sunk into their sleep;
And none of the mighty men have found the use of their hands.
6 (E)At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
Both the chariot and horse were cast into a dead sleep.
7 You, Yourself, are to be feared;
And (F)who may stand in Your presence
When once You are angry?
8 (G)You caused judgment to be heard from heaven;
(H)The earth feared and was still,
9 When God (I)arose to judgment,
To deliver all the oppressed of the earth. Selah
10 (J)Surely the wrath of man shall praise You;
With the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself.
True Worship and False
66 Thus says the Lord:
(A)“Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
Where is the house that you will build Me?
And where is the place of My rest?
2 For all those things My hand has made,
And all those things exist,”
Says the Lord.
(B)“But on this one will I look:
(C)On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
And who trembles at My word.
3 “He(D) who kills a bull is as if he slays a man;
He who sacrifices a lamb, as if he (E)breaks a dog’s neck;
He who offers a grain offering, as if he offers swine’s blood;
He who burns incense, as if he blesses an idol.
Just as they have chosen their own ways,
And their soul delights in their abominations,
4 So will I choose their delusions,
And bring their fears on them;
(F)Because, when I called, no one answered,
When I spoke they did not hear;
But they did evil before My eyes,
And chose that in which I do not delight.”
The Lord Vindicates Zion
5 Hear the word of the Lord,
You who tremble at His word:
“Your brethren who (G)hated you,
Who cast you out for My name’s sake, said,
(H)‘Let the Lord be glorified,
That (I)we may see your joy.’
But they shall be ashamed.”
6 The sound of noise from the city!
A voice from the temple!
The voice of the Lord,
Who fully repays His enemies!
7 “Before she was in labor, she gave birth;
Before her pain came,
She delivered a male child.
8 Who has heard such a thing?
Who has seen such things?
Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day?
Or shall a nation be born at once?
For as soon as Zion was in labor,
She gave birth to her children.
9 Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?” says the Lord.
“Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?” says your God.
10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem,
And be glad with her, all you who love her;
Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn for her;
11 That you may feed and be satisfied
With the consolation of her bosom,
That you may drink deeply and be delighted
With the abundance of her glory.”
12 For thus says the Lord:
All to the Glory of God(A)
23 All things are lawful [a]for me, but not all things are (B)helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things [b]edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one (C)the other’s well-being.
25 (D)Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for (E)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”
27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, (F)eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it (G)for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; [c]for (H)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For (I)why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food (J)over which I give thanks?
31 (K)Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 (L)Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just (M)as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Worship and the Lord’s Supper
11 Imitate(N) me, just as I also imitate Christ.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.