2 Corinthians 5:16-6:2

[5:16]From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. [17]So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! [18]All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; [19]that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. [20]So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. [21]For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

[6:1]As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. [2]For he says,   
    "At an acceptable time I have listened to you,   
         and on a day of salvation I have helped you."   
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!

Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12

[6]   Upon your walls, O Jerusalem,   
         I have posted sentinels;   
    all day and all night   
         they shall never be silent.   
    You who remind the LORD,   
         take no rest,   
[7]   and give him no rest   
         until he establishes Jerusalem   
         and makes it renowned throughout the earth.

[10]  Go through, go through the gates,   
         prepare the way for the people;   
    build up, build up the highway,   
         clear it of stones,   
         lift up an ensign over the peoples.   
[11]  The LORD has proclaimed   
         to the end of the earth:   
    Say to daughter Zion,   
         "See, your salvation comes;   
    his reward is with him,   
         and his recompense before him."   
[12]  They shall be called, "The Holy People,   
         The Redeemed of the LORD";   
    and you shall be called, "Sought Out,   
         A City Not Forsaken."

Isaiah 12:1-6

[1]   You will say in that day:   
    I will give thanks to you, O LORD,   
         for though you were angry with me,   
    your anger turned away,   
         and you comforted me.

[2]   Surely God is my salvation;   
         I will trust, and will not be afraid,   
    for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might;   
         he has become my salvation.

[3]With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. [4]And you will
say in that   
day:   
    Give thanks to the LORD,   
         call on his name;   
    make known his deeds among the nations;   
         proclaim that his name is exalted.

[5]   Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously;   
         let this be known in all the earth.   
[6]   Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion,   
         for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 49:13-23

[13]  Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;  

          break forth, O mountains, into singing!  

     For the LORD has comforted his people,  

          and will have compassion on his suffering ones.

[14]  But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me,  

          my Lord has forgotten me."  

[15]  Can a woman forget her nursing child,  

          or show no compassion for the child of her womb?  

     Even these may forget,  

          yet I will not forget you.  

[16]  See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands;  

          your walls are continually before me.  

[17]  Your builders outdo your destroyers,  

          and those who laid you waste go away from you.  

[18]  Lift up your eyes all around and see;  

          they all gather, they come to you.  

     As I live, says the LORD,  

          you shall put all of them on like an ornament,  

          and like a bride you shall bind them on.

[19]  Surely your waste and your desolate places  

          and your devastated land --  

     surely now you will be too crowded for your inhabitants,  

          and those who swallowed you up will be far away.  

[20]  The children born in the time of your bereavement  

          will yet say in your hearing:  

     "The place is too crowded for me;  

          make room for me to settle."  

[21]  Then you will say in your heart,  

          "Who has borne me these?  

     I was bereaved and barren,  

          exiled and put away --  

          so who has reared these?  

     I was left all alone --  

          where then have these come from?"

[22]  Thus says the Lord GOD:  

     I will soon lift up my hand to the nations,  

          and raise my signal to the peoples;  

     and they shall bring your sons in their bosom,  

          and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders.  

[23]  Kings shall be your foster fathers,  

          and their queens your nursing mothers.  

     With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you,  

          and lick the dust of your feet.  

     Then you will know that I am the LORD;  

          those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.

Psalm 34

[1]   I will bless the LORD at all times;  

          his praise shall continually be in my mouth.  

[2]   My soul makes its boast in the LORD;  

          let the humble hear and be glad.  

[3]   O magnify the LORD with me,  

          and let us exalt his name together.  

[4]   I sought the LORD, and he answered me,  

          and delivered me from all my fears.  

[5]   Look to him, and be radiant;  

          so your faces shall never be ashamed.  

[6]   This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD,  

          and was saved from every trouble.  

[7]   The angel of the LORD encamps  

          around those who fear him, and delivers them.  

[8]   O taste and see that the LORD is good;  

          happy are those who take refuge in him.  

[9]   O fear the LORD, you his holy ones,  

          for those who fear him have no want.  

[10]  The young lions suffer want and hunger,  

          but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

[11]  Come, O children, listen to me;  

          I will teach you the fear of the LORD.  

[12]  Which of you desires life,  

          and covets many days to enjoy good?  

[13]  Keep your tongue from evil,  

          and your lips from speaking deceit.  

[14]  Depart from evil, and do good;  

          seek peace, and pursue it.

[15]  The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,  

          and his ears are open to their cry.  

[16]  The face of the LORD is against evildoers,  

          to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.  

[17]  When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears,  

          and rescues them from all their troubles.  

[18]  The LORD is near to the brokenhearted,  

          and saves the crushed in spirit.

[19]  Many are the afflictions of the righteous,  

          but the LORD rescues them from them all.  

[20]  He keeps all their bones;  

          not one of them will be broken.  

[21]  Evil brings death to the wicked,  

          and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.  

[22]  The LORD redeems the life of his servants;  

          none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

   

Psalm 116

[1]   I love the LORD, because he has heard   
         my voice and my supplications.   
[2]   Because he inclined his ear to me,   
         therefore I will call on him as long as I live.   
[3]   The snares of death encompassed me;   
         the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;   
         I suffered distress and anguish.   
[4]   Then I called on the name of the LORD:   
         "O LORD, I pray, save my life!"

[5]   Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;   
         our God is merciful.   
[6]   The LORD protects the simple;   
         when I was brought low, he saved me.   
[7]   Return, O my soul, to your rest,   
         for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

[8]   For you have delivered my soul from death,   
         my eyes from tears,   
         my feet from stumbling.   
[9]   I walk before the LORD   
         in the land of the living.   
[10]  I kept my faith, even when I said,   
         "I am greatly afflicted";   
[11]  I said in my consternation,   
         "Everyone is a liar."

[12]  What shall I return to the LORD   
         for all his bounty to me?   
[13]   I will lift up the cup of salvation   
         and call on the name of the LORD,   
[14]  I will pay my vows to the LORD   
         in the presence of all his people.   
[15]  Precious in the sight of the LORD   
         is the death of his faithful ones.   
[16]  O LORD, I am your servant;   
         I am your servant, the child of your serving girl.   
         You have loosed my bonds.   
[17]  I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice   
         and call on the name of the LORD.   
[18]  I will pay my vows to the LORD   
         in the presence of all his people,   
[19]  in the courts of the house of the LORD,   
         in your midst, O Jerusalem.   
    Praise the LORD!

 

Luke 2:1-20

[1]In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2]This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3]All went to their own towns to be registered. [4]Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. [5]He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. [6]While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. [7]And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

[8] In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9]Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. [10]But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see -- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: [11]to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. [12]This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."
[13]And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,   
[14]  "Glory to God in the highest heaven,   
         and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

[15]When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." [16]So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. [17]When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; [18]and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. [19]But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. [20]The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

 

Luke 1:67-79

[67]Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: [68]"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. [69]He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, [70]as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, [71]that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. [72]Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, [73]the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us [74]that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, [75]in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. [76]And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, [77]to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. [78]By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, [79]to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." 

Revelation 21:1-6

[1]Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the
first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. [2]And I saw the holy
city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a
bride adorned for her husband. [3]And I heard a loud voice from the throne
saying,   
    "See, the home of God is among mortals.   
    He will dwell with them;   
    they will be his peoples,   
    and God himself will be with them;   
[4]   he will wipe every tear from their eyes.   
    Death will be no more;   
    mourning and crying and pain will be no more,   
    for the first things have passed away." 

[5]And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things
new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true."
[6]Then he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the
beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the
spring of the water of life.

Psalm 17

[1]Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry;

give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.

[2]From you let my vindication come;

let your eyes see the right.

[3]If you try my heart, if you visit me by night,

if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me;

my mouth does not transgress.

[4]As for what others do, by the word of your lips

I have avoided the ways of the violent.

[5]My steps have held fast to your paths;

my feet have not slipped.

[6]I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;

incline your ear to me, hear my words.

[7]Wondrously show your steadfast love,

O savior of those who seek refuge

from their adversaries at your right hand.

[8]Guard me as the apple of the eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings,

[9]from the wicked who despoil me,

my deadly enemies who surround me.

[10]They close their hearts to pity;

with their mouths they speak arrogantly.

[11]They track me down; now they surround me;

they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.

[12]They are like a lion eager to tear,

like a young lion lurking in ambush.

[13]Rise up, O LORD, confront them, overthrow them!

By your sword deliver my life from the wicked,

[14]from mortals -- by your hand, O LORD --

from mortals whose portion in life is in this world.

May their bellies be filled with what you have stored up for them;

may their children have more than enough;

may they leave something over to their little ones.

[15]As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;

when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.

 

Isaiah 11:1-9

[1]A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,  

     and a branch shall grow out of his roots.  

[2]The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him,  

     the spirit of wisdom and understanding,  

     the spirit of counsel and might,  

     the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.  

[3]His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.

He shall not judge by what his eyes see,  

     or decide by what his ears hear;  

[4]but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,  

     and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;  

he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,  

     and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.  

[5]Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,  

     and faithfulness the belt around his loins.

[6]The wolf shall live with the lamb,  

     the leopard shall lie down with the kid,  

the calf and the lion and the fatling together,  

     and a little child shall lead them.  

[7]The cow and the bear shall graze,  

     their young shall lie down together;  

     and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.  

[8]The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,  

     and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder's den.  

[9]They will not hurt or destroy  

     on all my holy mountain;  

for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD  

     as the waters cover the sea.

 

Psalm 145

[1]   I will extol you, my God and King,   
          and bless your name forever and ever.   
[2]   Every day I will bless you,   
          and praise your name forever and ever.   
[3]   Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;   
          his greatness is unsearchable.

[4]   One generation shall laud your works to another,   
          and shall declare your mighty acts.   
[5]   On the glorious splendor of your majesty,   
          and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.   
[6]   The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,   
          and I will declare your greatness.   
[7]   They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,   
          and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

[8]   The Lord is gracious and merciful,   
          slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.   
[9]   The Lord is good to all,   
          and his compassion is over all that he has made.

[10]  All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,   
          and all your faithful shall bless you.   
[11]  They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,   
          and tell of your power,   
[12]  to make known to all people your mighty deeds,   
          and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.   
[13]  Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,   
          and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

     The Lord is faithful in all his words,   
          and gracious in all his deeds.   
[14]  The Lord upholds all who are falling,   
          and raises up all who are bowed down.   
[15]  The eyes of all look to you,   
          and you give them their food in due season.   
[16]  You open your hand,   
          satisfying the desire of every living thing.   
[17]  The Lord is just in all his ways,   
          and kind in all his doings.   
[18]  The Lord is near to all who call on him,   
          to all who call on him in truth.   
[19]  He fulfills the desire of all who fear him;   
          he also hears their cry, and saves them.   
[20]  The Lord watches over all who love him,   
          but all the wicked he will destroy.

[21]  My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,   
          and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.

 

Psalm 18:1-20

[1]I love you, O LORD, my strength.

[2]The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer,

my God, my rock in whom I take refuge,

my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

[3]I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,

so I shall be saved from my enemies.

[4]The cords of death encompassed me;

the torrents of perdition assailed me;

[5]the cords of Sheol entangled me;

the snares of death confronted me.

[6]In my distress I called upon the LORD;

to my God I cried for help.

>From his temple he heard my voice,

and my cry to him reached his ears.

[7]Then the earth reeled and rocked;

the foundations also of the mountains trembled

and quaked, because he was angry.

[8]Smoke went up from his nostrils,

and devouring fire from his mouth;

glowing coals flamed forth from him.

[9]He bowed the heavens, and came down;

thick darkness was under his feet.

[10]He rode on a cherub, and flew;

he came swiftly upon the wings of the wind.

[11]He made darkness his covering around him,

his canopy thick clouds dark with water.

[12]Out of the brightness before him

there broke through his clouds

hailstones and coals of fire.

[13]The LORD also thundered in the heavens,

and the Most High uttered his voice.

[14]And he sent out his arrows, and scattered them;

he flashed forth lightnings, and routed them.

[15]Then the channels of the sea were seen,

and the foundations of the world were laid bare

at your rebuke, O LORD,

at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

[16]He reached down from on high, he took me;

he drew me out of mighty waters.

[17]He delivered me from my strong enemy,

and from those who hated me;

for they were too mighty for me.

[18]They confronted me in the day of my calamity;

but the LORD was my support.

[19]He brought me out into a broad place;

he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

[20]The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness;

according to the cleanness of my hands he recompensed me.

 

John 7:53-8:11

[53]Then each of them went home, [1]while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

[2]Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. [3]The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, [4]they said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. [5]Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" [6]They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. [7]When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." [8]And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground.

[9]When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. [10]Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" [11]She said, "No one, sir." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you.

Go your way, and from now on do not sin again."

1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

[12]But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; [13]esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

[14]And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. [15]See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.

[16]Rejoice always, [17]pray without ceasing, [18]give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. [19]Do not quench the Spirit. [20]Do not despise the words of prophets, [21]but test everything; hold fast to what is good; [22]abstain from every form of evil.

[23]May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. [24]The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

Psalm 40

[1]   I waited patiently for the LORD;  

          he inclined to me and heard my cry.  

[2]   He drew me up from the desolate pit,  

          out of the miry bog,  

     and set my feet upon a rock,  

          making my steps secure.  

[3]   He put a new song in my mouth,  

          a song of praise to our God.  

     Many will see and fear,  

          and put their trust in the LORD.

[4]   Happy are those who make  

          the LORD their trust,  

     who do not turn to the proud,  

          to those who go astray after false gods.  

[5]   You have multiplied, O LORD my God,  

          your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;  

          none can compare with you.  

     Were I to proclaim and tell of them,  

          they would be more than can be counted.

[6]   Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,  

          but you have given me an open ear.  

     Burnt offering and sin offering  

          you have not required.  

[7]   Then I said, "Here I am;  

          in the scroll of the book it is written of me.  

[8]   I delight to do your will, O my God;  

          your law is within my heart."

[9]   I have told the glad news of deliverance  

          in the great congregation;  

     see, I have not restrained my lips,  

          as you know, O LORD.  

[10]  I have not hidden your saving help within my heart,  

          I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;  

     I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness  

          from the great congregation.

[11]  Do not, O LORD, withhold  

          your mercy from me;  

     let your steadfast love and your faithfulness  

          keep me safe forever.  

[12]  For evils have encompassed me  

          without number;  

     my iniquities have overtaken me,  

          until I cannot see;  

     they are more than the hairs of my head,  

          and my heart fails me.

[13]  Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me;  

          O LORD, make haste to help me.  

[14]  Let all those be put to shame and confusion  

          who seek to snatch away my life;  

     let those be turned back and brought to dishonor  

          who desire my hurt.  

[15]  Let those be appalled because of their shame  

          who say to me, "Aha, Aha!"

[16]  But may all who seek you  

          rejoice and be glad in you;  

     may those who love your salvation  

          say continually, "Great is the LORD!"  

[17]  As for me, I am poor and needy,  

          but the Lord takes thought for me.  

     You are my help and my deliverer;  

          do not delay, O my God.

   

Psalm 90

[1]   Lord, you have been our dwelling place   
         in all generations.   
[2]   Before the mountains were brought forth,   
         or ever you had formed the earth and the world,   
         from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

[3]   You turn us back to dust,   
         and say, "Turn back, you mortals."   
[4]   For a thousand years in your sight   
         are like yesterday when it is past,   
         or like a watch in the night.

[5]   You sweep them away; they are like a dream,   
         like grass that is renewed in the morning;   
[6]   in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;   
         in the evening it fades and withers.

[7]   For we are consumed by your anger;   
         by your wrath we are overwhelmed.   
[8]   You have set our iniquities before you,   
         our secret sins in the light of your countenance.

[9]   For all our days pass away under your wrath;   
         our years come to an end like a sigh.   
[10]  The days of our life are seventy years,   
         or perhaps eighty, if we are strong;   
    even then their span is only toil and trouble;   
         they are soon gone, and we fly away.

[11]  Who considers the power of your anger?   
         Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.   
[12]  So teach us to count our days   
         that we may gain a wise heart.

[13]  Turn, O LORD! How long?   
         Have compassion on your servants!   
[14]  Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,   
         so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.   
[15]  Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us,   
         and as many years as we have seen evil.   
[16]  Let your work be manifest to your servants,   
         and your glorious power to their children.   
[17]  Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,   
         and prosper for us the work of our hands --   
         O prosper the work of our hands!

Psalm 18:1-20

[1]I love you, O LORD, my strength.

[2]The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer,

my God, my rock in whom I take refuge,

my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 

[3]I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,

so I shall be saved from my enemies.

[4]The cords of death encompassed me;

the torrents of perdition assailed me;

[5]the cords of Sheol entangled me;

the snares of death confronted me.

[6]In my distress I called upon the LORD;

to my God I cried for help.

From his temple he heard my voice,

and my cry to him reached his ears.

[7]Then the earth reeled and rocked;

the foundations also of the mountains trembled

and quaked, because he was angry.

[8]Smoke went up from his nostrils,

and devouring fire from his mouth;

glowing coals flamed forth from him.

[9]He bowed the heavens, and came down;

thick darkness was under his feet.

[10]He rode on a cherub, and flew;

he came swiftly upon the wings of the wind.

[11]He made darkness his covering around him,

his canopy thick clouds dark with water.

[12]Out of the brightness before him

there broke through his clouds

hailstones and coals of fire.

[13]The LORD also thundered in the heavens,

and the Most High uttered his voice.

[14]And he sent out his arrows, and scattered them;

he flashed forth lightnings, and routed them.

[15]Then the channels of the sea were seen,

and the foundations of the world were laid bare

at your rebuke, O LORD,

at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

[16]He reached down from on high, he took me;

he drew me out of mighty waters.

[17]He delivered me from my strong enemy,

and from those who hated me;

for they were too mighty for me.

[18]They confronted me in the day of my calamity;

but the LORD was my support.

[19]He brought me out into a broad place;

he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

[20]The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness;

according to the cleanness of my hands he recompensed me.

Isaiah 2:1-4

[1]The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

[2]     In days to come  

          the mountain of the LORD's house  

     shall be established as the highest of the mountains,  

          and shall be raised above the hills;  

     all the nations shall stream to it.  

[3]          Many peoples shall come and say,  

     "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,  

          to the house of the God of Jacob;  

     that he may teach us his ways  

          and that we may walk in his paths."  

     For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,  

          and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.  

[4]     He shall judge between the nations,  

          and shall arbitrate for many peoples;  

     they shall beat their swords into plowshares,  

          and their spears into pruning hooks;  

     nation shall not lift up sword against nation,  

          neither shall they learn war any more.

 

Psalm 33

[1]   Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous.  

          Praise befits the upright.  

[2]   Praise the LORD with the lyre;  

          make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.  

[3]   Sing to him a new song;  

          play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

[4]   For the word of the LORD is upright,  

          and all his work is done in faithfulness.  

[5]   He loves righteousness and justice;  

          the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.

[6]   By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,  

          and all their host by the breath of his mouth.  

[7]   He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle;  

          he put the deeps in storehouses.

[8]   Let all the earth fear the LORD;  

          let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.  

[9]   For he spoke, and it came to be;  

          he commanded, and it stood firm.

[10]  The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;  

          he frustrates the plans of the peoples.  

[11]  The counsel of the LORD stands forever,  

          the thoughts of his heart to all generations.  

[12]   Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD,  

          the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.

[13]  The LORD looks down from heaven;  

          he sees all humankind.  

[14]  From where he sits enthroned he watches  

          all the inhabitants of the earth --  

[15]  he who fashions the hearts of them all,  

          and observes all their deeds.  

[16]  A king is not saved by his great army;  

          a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.  

[17]  The war horse is a vain hope for victory,  

          and by its great might it cannot save.

[18]  Truly the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,  

          on those who hope in his steadfast love,  

[19]  to deliver their soul from death,  

          and to keep them alive in famine.

[20]  Our soul waits for the LORD;  

          he is our help and shield.  

[21]  Our heart is glad in him,  

          because we trust in his holy name.  

[22]  Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,  

          even as we hope in you.

Psalm 145

[1]   I will extol you, my God and King,  

          and bless your name forever and ever.  

[2]   Every day I will bless you,  

          and praise your name forever and ever.  

[3]   Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;  

          his greatness is unsearchable.

[4]   One generation shall laud your works to another,  

          and shall declare your mighty acts.  

[5]   On the glorious splendor of your majesty,  

          and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.  

[6]   The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,  

          and I will declare your greatness.  

[7]   They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,  

          and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

[8]   The Lord is gracious and merciful,  

          slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  

[9]   The Lord is good to all,  

          and his compassion is over all that he has made.

[10]  All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,  

          and all your faithful shall bless you.  

[11]  They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,  

          and tell of your power,  

[12]  to make known to all people your mighty deeds,  

          and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.  

[13]  Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,  

          and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

     The Lord is faithful in all his words,  

          and gracious in all his deeds.  

[14]  The Lord upholds all who are falling,  

          and raises up all who are bowed down.  

[15]  The eyes of all look to you,  

          and you give them their food in due season.  

[16]  You open your hand,  

          satisfying the desire of every living thing.  

[17]  The Lord is just in all his ways,  

          and kind in all his doings.  

[18]  The Lord is near to all who call on him,  

          to all who call on him in truth.  

[19]  He fulfills the desire of all who fear him;  

          he also hears their cry, and saves them.  

[20]  The Lord watches over all who love him,  

          but all the wicked he will destroy.

[21]  My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,  

          and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.

 

Romans 15:7-13

[7]Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. [8]For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, [9]and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, 

"Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name"; [10]and again he says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people"; [11]and again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him"; [12]and again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope." [13]May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit 

  

Ephesians 1:15-23

[15]I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason [16]I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. [17]I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, [18]so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, [19]and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. [20]God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, [21]far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. [22]And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, [23]which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Luke 19:1-10

[1]He entered Jericho and was passing through it. [2]A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. [3]He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. [4]So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. [5]When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today." [6]So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. [7]All who saw it began to grumble and said, "He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner." [8]Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much." [9]Then Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. [10]For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost." 

 

Luke 18:35-43

[35]As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. [36]When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. [37]They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." [38]Then he shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" [39]Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" [40]Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, [41]"What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me see again." [42]Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has saved you." [43]Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God. 

 

Luke 18:15-30

[15]People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. [16]But Jesus called for them and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.

[17]Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it."

[18]A certain ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" [19]Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. [20]You know the commandments: 'You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.'" [21]He replied, "I have kept all these since my youth." [22]When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." [23]But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. [24]Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!

[25]Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."

[26]Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" [27]He replied, 'What is impossible for mortals is possible for God."

[28]Then Peter said, "Look, we have left our homes and followed you." [29]And he said to them, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, [30]who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life."

Zechariah 9:9-16

[9]Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!   
    Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!   
Lo, your king comes to you;   
    triumphant and victorious is he,   
humble and riding on a donkey,   
    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.   
[10]He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim   
    and the war horse from Jerusalem;   
and the battle bow shall be cut off,   
    and he shall command peace to the nations;   
his dominion shall be from sea to sea,   
    and from the River to the ends of the earth.

[11]As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you,   
    I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.   
[12]Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope;   
    today I declare that I will restore to you double.   
[13]For I have bent Judah as my bow;   
    I have made Ephraim its arrow.   
I will arouse your sons, O Zion,   
    against your sons, O Greece,   
    and wield you like a warrior's sword.

[14]Then the LORD will appear over them,   
    and his arrow go forth like lightning;   
the Lord GOD will sound the trumpet   
    and march forth in the whirlwinds of the south.   
[15]The LORD of hosts will protect them,   
    and they shall devour and tread down the slingers;   
they shall drink their blood like wine,   
    and be full like a bowl,   
    drenched like the corners of the altar.

[16]On that day the LORD their God will save them   
    for they are the flock of his people;   
for like the jewels of a crown   
    they shall shine on his land.

Luke 18:9-14

[9]He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: [10]"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11]The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12]I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' [13]But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' [14]I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."

 

Malachi 3:1-12

[1]See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight - indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. [2]But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; [3]he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. [4]Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.

[5]Then I will draw near to you for judgment; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.

[6]For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished. [7]Ever since the days of your ancestors you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, "How shall we return?"

[8]Will anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing me! But you say, "How are we robbing you?" In your tithes and offerings! [9]You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me - the whole nation of you! [10]Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. [11]I will rebuke the locust for you, so that it will not destroy the produce of your soil; and your vine in the field shall not be barren, says the LORD of hosts. [12]Then all nations will count you happy, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts. 

Joel 2:21-27

[21]Do not fear, O soil;
be glad and rejoice,
for the Lord has done great things!
[22]Do not fear, you animals of the field,
for the pastures of the wilderness are green;
the tree bears its fruit,
the fig tree and vine give their full yield.

[23]O children of Zion, be glad
and rejoice in the Lord your God;
for he has given the early rain for your vindication,
he has poured down for you abundant rain,
the early and the later rain, as before.
[24]The threshing floors shall be full of grain,
the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.

[25]I will repay you for the years
that the swarming locust has eaten,
the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter,
my great army, which I sent against you.

[26]You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
and praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has dealt wondrously with you.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.

[27]You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,
and that I, the Lord, am your God and there is no other.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.

 

Psalm 65

[1]   Praise is due to you,  
         O God, in Zion;  
    and to you shall vows be performed,  
[2]        O you who answer prayer!  
    To you all flesh shall come.  
[3]   When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us,  
         you forgive our transgressions.  
[4]   Happy are those whom you choose and bring near  
         to live in your courts.  
    We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,  
         your holy temple.

[5]   By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance,  
         O God of our salvation;  
    you are the hope of all the ends of the earth  
         and of the farthest seas.  
[6]   By your strength you established the mountains;  
         you are girded with might.  
[7]   You silence the roaring of the seas,  
         the roaring of their waves,  
         the tumult of the peoples.  
[8]   Those who live at earth's farthest bounds are awed by your signs;  
         you make the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy.

[9]   You visit the earth and water it,  
         you greatly enrich it;  
    the river of God is full of water;  
         you provide the people with grain,  
         for so you have prepared it.  
[10]  You water its furrows abundantly,  
         settling its ridges,  
    softening it with showers,  
         and blessing its growth.  
[11]  You crown the year with your bounty;  
         your wagon tracks overflow with richness.  
[12]  The pastures of the wilderness overflow,  
         the hills gird themselves with joy,  
[13]  the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,  
         the valleys deck themselves with grain,  
         they shout and sing together for joy.

 

Psalm 99

[1]   The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble!  
         He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!  
[2]   The LORD is great in Zion;  
         he is exalted over all the peoples.  
[3]   Let them praise your great and awesome name.  
         Holy is he!  
[4]   Mighty King, lover of justice,  
         you have established equity;  
    you have executed justice  
         and righteousness in Jacob.  
[5]   Extol the LORD our God;  
         worship at his footstool.  
         Holy is he!  

[6]   Moses and Aaron were among his priests,  
         Samuel also was among those who called on his name.  
         They cried to the LORD, and he answered them.  
[7]   He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud;  
         they kept his decrees,  
         and the statutes that he gave them.

[8]   O LORD our God, you answered them;  
         you were a forgiving God to them,  
         but an avenger of their wrongdoings.  
[9]   Extol the LORD our God,  
         and worship at his holy mountain;  
         for the LORD our God is holy.

Habakkuk 2:1-4; 9-20

[1]I will stand at my watchpost,  
    and station myself on the rampart;  
I will keep watch to see what he will say to me,  
    and what he will answer concerning my complaint.  
[2]Then the LORD answered me and said:  
Write the vision;  
    make it plain on tablets,  
    so that a runner may read it.  
[3]For there is still a vision for the appointed time;  
    it speaks of the end, and does not lie.  
If it seems to tarry, wait for it;  
    it will surely come, it will not delay.  
[4]Look at the proud!  
    Their spirit is not right in them,  
    but the righteous live by their faith.

[9]"Alas for you who get evil gain for your house,  
    setting your nest on high  
    to be safe from the reach of harm!"  
[10]You have devised shame for your house  
    by cutting off many peoples;  
    you have forfeited your life.  
[11]The very stones will cry out from the wall,  
    and the plaster will respond from the woodwork.

[12]"Alas for you who build a town by bloodshed,  
    and found a city on iniquity!"  
[13]Is it not from the LORD of hosts  
that peoples labor only to feed the flames,  
and nations weary themselves for nothing?  
[14]But the earth will be filled  
    with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD,  
as the waters cover the sea.

[15]"Alas for you who make your neighbors drink,  
    pouring out your wrath until they are drunk,  
    in order to gaze on their nakedness!"  
[16]You will be sated with contempt instead of glory.  
    Drink, you yourself, and stagger!  
The cup in the Lord's right hand  
    will come around to you,  
    and shame will come upon your glory!  
[17]For the violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you;  
    the destruction of the animals will terrify you --  
because of human bloodshed and violence to the earth,  
    to cities and all who live in them.

[18]What use is an idol  
    once its maker has shaped it --  
    a cast image, a teacher of lies?  
For its maker trusts in what has been made,  
    though the product is only an idol that cannot speak!  
[19]Alas for you who say to the wood, "Wake up!"  
    to silent stone, "Rouse yourself!"  
    Can it teach?  
See, it is gold and silver plated,  
    and there is no breath in it at all.

[20]But the LORD is in his holy temple;  
let all the earth keep silence before him!