Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Chapter 31
Good News of the Return
1 At that time—oracle of the Lord—
I will be the God of all the families of Israel,
and they shall be my people.(A)
2 [a]Thus says the Lord:
The people who escaped the sword
find favor in the wilderness.
As Israel comes forward to receive rest,
3 from afar the Lord appears:
With age-old love I have loved you;
so I have kept my mercy toward you.(B)
4 Again I will build you, and you shall stay built,
virgin Israel;
Carrying your festive tambourines,
you shall go forth dancing with merrymakers.
5 You shall again plant vineyards
on the mountains of Samaria;
those who plant them shall enjoy their fruits.(C)
6 Yes, a day will come when the watchmen
call out on Mount Ephraim:
“Come, let us go up to Zion,
to the Lord, our God.”(D)
I. The Prologue[a]
Chapter 1
1 Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us,(A) 2 just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,(B) 3 I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.
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