Psalm 96

  [1]   O sing to the LORD a new song;   
         sing to the LORD, all the earth.   
[2]   Sing to the LORD, bless his name;   
         tell of his salvation from day to day.   
[3]   Declare his glory among the nations,   
         his marvelous works among all the peoples.   
[4]   For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;   
         he is to be revered above all gods.   
[5]   For all the gods of the peoples are idols,   
         but the LORD made the heavens.   
[6]   Honor and majesty are before him;   
         strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.   
[7]   Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,   
         ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.   
[8]   Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;   
         bring an offering, and come into his courts.   
[9]   Worship the LORD in holy splendor;   
         tremble before him, all the earth.

[10]  Say among the nations, "The LORD is king!   
         The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.   
         He will judge the peoples with equity."   
[11]  Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;   
         let the sea roar, and all that fills it;   
[12]       let the field exult, and everything in it.   
    Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy   
[13]       before the LORD; for he is coming,   
         for he is coming to judge the earth.   
    He will judge the world with righteousness,   
         and the peoples with his truth.

 

Psalm 12

[1]   Help, O LORD, for there is no longer anyone who is godly;  

          the faithful have disappeared from humankind.  

[2]   They utter lies to each other;  

          with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

[3]   May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,  

          the tongue that makes great boasts,  

[4]   those who say, "With our tongues we will prevail;  

          our lips are our own -- who is our master?"

[5]   "Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan,  

          I will now rise up," says the LORD;  

          "I will place them in the safety for which they long."  

[6]   The promises of the LORD are promises that are pure,  

          silver refined in a furnace on the ground,  

          purified seven times.

[7]   You, O LORD, will protect us;  

          you will guard us from this generation forever.  

[8]   On every side the wicked prowl,  

          as vileness is exalted among humankind.

 

Jonah 1:17-2:10

[1:17]But the Lord provided a large fish to swallow up Jonah; and Jonah was in
the belly of the fish for three days and three nights.

[2:1]Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish,
[2]saying,  
"I called to the Lord out of my distress,  
    and he answered me;  
out of the belly of Sheol I cried,  
    and you heard my voice.
[3]You cast me into the deep,  
    into the heart of the seas,  
    and the flood surrounded me;  
all your waves and your billows  
    passed over me.  
[4]Then I said, 'I am driven away  
    from your sight;  
how shall I look again  
    upon your holy temple?'  
[5]The waters closed in over me;  
    the deep surrounded me;  
weeds were wrapped around my head  
[6]     at the roots of the mountains.  
I went down to the land  
    whose bars closed upon me for ever;  
yet you brought up my life from the Pit,  
    O Lord my God.  
[7]As my life was ebbing away,  
    I remembered the Lord;  
and my prayer came to you,  
    into your holy temple.  
[8]Those who worship vain idols  
    forsake their true loyalty.  
[9]But I with the voice of thanksgiving  
    will sacrifice to you;  
what I have vowed I will pay.  
    Deliverance belongs to the Lord!"

[10]Then the Lord spoke to the fish, and it spewed Jonah out upon the dry
land.

 

Micah 7:1-7

[1]Woe is me! For I have become like one who,  
    after the summer fruit has been gathered,  
    after the vintage has been gleaned,  
finds no cluster to eat;  
    there is no first-ripe fig for which I hunger.  
[2]The faithful have disappeared from the land,  
    and there is no one left who is upright;  
they all lie in wait for blood,  
    and they hunt each other with nets.  
[3]Their hands are skilled to do evil;  
    the official and the judge ask for a bribe,  
and the powerful dictate what they desire;  
    thus they pervert justice.  
[4]The best of them is like a brier,  
    the most upright of them a thorn hedge.  
The day of their sentinels, of their punishment, has come;  
    now their confusion is at hand.  
[5]Put no trust in a friend,  
    have no confidence in a loved one;  
guard the doors of your mouth  
    from her who lies in your embrace;  
[6]for the son treats the father with contempt,  
    the daughter rises up against her mother,  
the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;  
    your enemies are members of your own household.  
[7] But as for me, I will look to the Lord,  
    I will wait for the God of my salvation;  
    my God will hear me.

Micah 6:1-8

[1]Hear what the Lord says:      

    Rise, plead your case before the mountains,
    and let the hills hear your voice.  [2]Hear, you mountains, the
controversy of the Lord,  
    and you enduring foundations of the earth;  
for the Lord has a controversy with his people,  
    and he will contend with Israel.

[3]"O my people, what have I done to you?  
    In what have I wearied you? Answer me!  
[4]For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,  
    and redeemed you from the house of slavery;  
and I sent before you Moses,  
    Aaron, and Miriam.  
[5]O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised,  
    what Balaam son of Beor answered him,  
and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,  
    that you may know the saving acts of the Lord."

[6]"‘With what shall I come before the Lord,  
    and bow myself before God on high?  
Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings,  
    with calves a year old?  
[7]Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,  
    with tens of thousands of rivers of oil?  
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,  
    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"  
[8]He has told you, O mortal, what is good;  
    and what does the Lord require of you  
but to do justice, and to love kindness,  
    and to walk humbly with your God?

Psalm 143

[1]   Hear my prayer, O LORD;  

          give ear to my supplications in your faithfulness;  

          answer me in your righteousness.  

[2]   Do not enter into judgment with your servant,  

          for no one living is righteous before you.

[3]   For the enemy has pursued me,  

          crushing my life to the ground,  

          making me sit in darkness like those long dead.  

[4]   Therefore my spirit faints within me;  

          my heart within me is appalled.

[5]   I remember the days of old,  

          I think about all your deeds,  

          I meditate on the works of your hands.  

[6]   I stretch out my hands to you;  

          my soul thirsts for you like a parched land                    Selah

[7]   Answer me quickly, O LORD;  

          my spirit fails.  

     Do not hide your face from me,  

          or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.  

[8]   Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,  

          for in you I put my trust.  

     Teach me the way I should go,  

          for to you I lift up my soul.

[9]   Save me, O LORD, from my enemies;  

          I have fled to you for refuge.  

[10]  Teach me to do your will,  

          for you are my God.  

     Let your good spirit lead me  

          on a level path.

[11]  For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life.  

          In your righteousness bring me out of trouble.  

[12]  In your steadfast love cut off my enemies,  

          and destroy all my adversaries,  

          for I am your servant.

 

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.

Revelation 7:9-17

[9]After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. [10]They cried out in a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!" [11]And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, [12]singing, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen."

[13]Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?" [14]I said to him, "Sir, you are the one that knows." Then he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. [15]For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. [16]They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; [17]for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

 

Psalm 57

[1]   Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,  

          for in you my soul takes refuge;  

     in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,  

          until the destroying storms pass by.  

[2]   I cry to God Most High,  

          to God who fulfills his purpose for me.  

[3]  He will send from heaven and save me,  

          he will put to shame those who trample on me.           Selah  

      God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness.

[4]   I lie down among lions  

          that greedily devour human prey;  

     their teeth are spears and arrows,  

          their tongues sharp swords.

[5]   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.  

          Let your glory be over all the earth.

[6]   They set a net for my steps;  

          my soul was bowed down.  

     They dug a pit in my path,  

          but they have fallen into it themselves.                       

Selah  

[7]   My heart is steadfast, O God,  

          my heart is steadfast.  

     I will sing and make melody.  

[8]        Awake, my soul!   

     Awake, O harp and lyre!  

          I will awake the dawn.  

[9]   I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;  

          I will sing praises to you among the nations.  

[10]   For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens;  

          your faithfulness extends to the clouds.

[11]   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.  

     Let your glory be over all the earth.

 

John 9:28-36

[28]Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. [29]And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. [30]Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. [31]They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.[32]Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. [33]Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" - not knowing what he said. [34]While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. [35]Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" [36]When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. 

John 9:28-36

[28]Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. [29]And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. [30]Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. [31]They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was
about to accomplish at Jerusalem.[32]Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. [33]Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" - not knowing what he said. [34]While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. [35]Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" [36]When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. 

John 9:28-36

[28]Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. [29]And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. [30]Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. [31]They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was
about to accomplish at Jerusalem.[32]Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. [33]Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" - not knowing what he said. [34]While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. [35]Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" [36]When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. 

Psalm 36

[1]   Transgression speaks to the wicked  

          deep in their hearts;  

     there is no fear of God  

          before their eyes.  

[2]   For they flatter themselves in their own eyes  

          that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated.  

[3]   The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit;  

          they have ceased to act wisely and do good.  

[4]   They plot mischief while on their beds;  

          they are set on a way that is not good;  

          they do not reject evil.

[5]   Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens,  

          your faithfulness to the clouds.  

[6]   Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,  

          your judgments are like the great deep;  

          you save humans and animals alike, O LORD.

[7]   How precious is your steadfast love, O God!  

          All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.  

[8]   They feast on the abundance of your house,  

          and you give them drink from the river of your delights.  

[9]   For with you is the fountain of life;  

          in your light we see light.

[10]  O continue your steadfast love to those who know you,  

          and your salvation to the upright of heart!  

[11]  Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me,  

          or the hand of the wicked drive me away.  

[12]  There the evildoers lie prostrate;  

          they are thrust down, unable to rise.

 

Psalm 147:1-11

[1]   Praise the Lord!  
         How good it is to sing praises to our God;  
         for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.  
[2]   The Lord builds up Jerusalem;  
         he gathers the outcasts of Israel.  
[3]   He heals the brokenhearted,  
         and binds up their wounds.  
[4]   He determines the number of the stars;  
         he gives to all of them their names.  
[5]   Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;  
         his understanding is beyond measure.  
[6]   The Lord lifts up the downtrodden;  
         he casts the wicked to the ground.

[7]   Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;  
         make melody to our God on the lyre.  
[8]   He covers the heavens with clouds,  
         prepares rain for the earth,  
         makes grass grow on the hills.  
[9]   He gives to the animals their food,  
         and to the young ravens when they cry.  
[10]  His delight is not in the strength of the horse,  
         nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;  
[11]  but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,  
         in those who hope in his steadfast love.

Psalm 123

[1]   To you I lift up my eyes,   
         O you who are enthroned in the heavens!   
[2]   As the eyes of servants   
         look to the hand of their master,   
    as the eyes of a maid   
         to the hand of her mistress,   
    so our eyes look to the LORD our God,   
         until he has mercy upon us.

[3]   Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us,   
         for we have had more than enough of contempt.   
[4]   Our soul has had more than its fill   
         of the scorn of those who are at ease,   
         of the contempt of the proud.

Psalm 123

  [1]   To you I lift up my eyes,   
         O you who are enthroned in the heavens!   
[2]   As the eyes of servants   
         look to the hand of their master,   
    as the eyes of a maid   
         to the hand of her mistress,   
    so our eyes look to the LORD our God,   
         until he has mercy upon us.

[3]   Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us,   
         for we have had more than enough of contempt.   
[4]   Our soul has had more than its fill   
         of the scorn of those who are at ease,   
         of the contempt of the proud.

Luke 8:26-39

[26]Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. [27]As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. [28]When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me" - [29]for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) [30]Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. [31]They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.

[32]Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. [33]Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

[34]When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. [35]Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. [36]Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. [37]Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. [38]The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, [39]"Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.

Psalm 19

[1]   The heavens are telling the glory of God;  
         and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.  
[2]   Day to day pours forth speech,  
         and night to night declares knowledge.  
[3]   There is no speech, nor are there words;  
         their voice is not heard;  
[4]   yet their voice goes out through all the earth,  
         and their words to the end of the world.

    In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,  
[5]   which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,  
         and like a strong man runs its course with joy.  
[6]   Its rising is from the end of the heavens,  
         and its circuit to the end of them;  
         and nothing is hidden from its heat.

[7]   The law of the LORD is perfect,  
         reviving the soul;  
    the decrees of the LORD are sure,  
         making wise the simple;  
[8]   the precepts of the LORD are right,  
         rejoicing the heart;  
    the commandment of the LORD is clear,  
         enlightening the eyes;  
[9]   the fear of the LORD is pure,  
         enduring forever;  
    the ordinances of the LORD are true  
         and righteous altogether.  
[10]  More to be desired are they than gold,  
         even much fine gold;  
    sweeter also than honey,  
         and drippings of the honeycomb.

[11]  Moreover by them is your servant warned;  
         in keeping them there is great reward.  
[12]   But who can detect their errors?  
         Clear me from hidden faults.  
[13]  Keep back your servant also from the insolent;  
         do not let them have dominion over me.  
    Then I shall be blameless,  
         and innocent of great transgression.

[14]  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart  
         be acceptable to you,  
         O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 51

[1]   Have mercy on me, O God,  
         according to your steadfast love;  
    according to your abundant mercy  
         blot out my transgressions.  
[2]   Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,  
         and cleanse me from my sin.

[3]   For I know my transgressions,  
         and my sin is ever before me.  
[4]   Against you, you alone, have I sinned,  
         and done what is evil in your sight,  
    so that you are justified in your sentence  
         and blameless when you pass judgment.  


[5]   Indeed, I was born guilty,  
         a sinner when my mother conceived me.

[6]   You desire truth in the inward being;  
         therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.  
[7]   Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;  
         wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.  
[8]   Let me hear joy and gladness;  
         let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.  
[9]   Hide your face from my sins,  
         and blot out all my iniquities.

[10]  Create in me a clean heart, O God,  
         and put a new and right spirit within me.  
[11]  Do not cast me away from your presence,  
         and do not take your holy spirit from me.  
[12]  Restore to me the joy of your salvation,  
         and sustain in me a willing spirit.

[13]  Then I will teach transgressors your ways,  
         and sinners will return to you.  
[14]  Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,  
         O God of my salvation,  
         and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.

[15]  O Lord, open my lips,  
         and my mouth will declare your praise.  
[16]  For you have no delight in sacrifice;  
         if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.  
[17]  The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;  
         a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

[18]  Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;  
         rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,  
[19]  then you will delight in right sacrifices,  
         in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;  
         then bulls will be offered on your altar.

  

Luke 7:36-50

[36]One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. [37]And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. [38]She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. [39]Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him - that she is a sinner." [40]Jesus spoke up and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Teacher," he replied, "Speak." [41]"A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. [42]When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?" [43]Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt." And Jesus said to him, "You have judged rightly." [44]Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. [45]You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. [46]You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. [47]Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." [48]Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." [49]But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" [50]And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." 

 

Psalm 89:1-18

[1]   I will sing of your steadfast love, O LORD, forever;   
         with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. 

[2]   I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;   
         your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

[3]   You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,   
         I have sworn to my servant David:   
[4]   'I will establish your descendants forever,   
         and build your throne for all generations.'"                   
Selah

[5]   Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,   
         your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones.   
[6]   For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD?   
         Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD,   
[7]   a God feared in the council of the holy ones,   
         great and awesome above all that are around him?   
[8]   O LORD God of hosts,   
         who is as mighty as you, O LORD?   
         Your faithfulness surrounds you.   
[9]   You rule the raging of the sea;   
         when its waves rise, you still them.   
[10]  You crushed Rahab like a carcass;   
         you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.   
[11]  The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours;   
         the world and all that is in it -- you have founded them.   
[12]  The north and the south -- you created them;   
         Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.   
[13]  You have a mighty arm;   
         strong is your hand, high your right hand.   
[14]  Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;   
         steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.   
[15]  Happy are the people who know the festal shout,   
         who walk, O LORD, in the light of your countenance;   
[16]  they exult in your name all day long,   
         and extol your righteousness.   
[17]  For you are the glory of their strength;   
         by your favor our horn is exalted.   
[18]  For our shield belongs to the LORD,   
         our king to the Holy One of Israel.

  

Luke 7:1-17

[1]After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he
entered Capernaum. [2]A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and
who was ill and close to death. [3]When he heard about Jesus, he sent some
Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. [4]When they came
to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you
do this for him, [5]for he loves our people, and it is he who built our
synagogue for us." [6]And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from
the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble
yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; [7]therefore I
did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be
healed. [8]For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me;
and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and
to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it." [9]When Jesus heard this he
was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I
tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." [10]When those who had
been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health. 

[11]Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a
large crowd went with him. [12]As he approached the gate of the town, a man
who had died was being carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was
a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. [13]When the Lord saw
her, he had compassion for her and said to her, "Do not weep." [14]Then he
came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said,
"Young man, I say to you, rise!" [15]The dead man sat up and began to speak,
and Jesus gave him to his mother. [16]Fear seized all of them; and they
glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen among us!" and "God has
looked favorably on his people!" [17]This word about him spread throughout
Judea and all the surrounding country. 

Luke 6:39-49

[39]He also told them a parable: "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? [40]A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. [41]Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? [42]Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye. 

[43]"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; [44]for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. [45]The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. 

[46]"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I tell you? [47]I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. [48]That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. [49]But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house." 

  

Psalm 103

[1]   Bless the LORD, O my soul,   
         and all that is within me,   
         bless his holy name.   
[2]   Bless the LORD, O my soul,   
         and do not forget all his benefits --   
[3]   who forgives all your iniquity,   
         who heals all your diseases,   
[4]   who redeems your life from the Pit,   
         who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,   
[5]   who satisfies you with good as long as you live   
         so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

[6]   The LORD works vindication   
         and justice for all who are oppressed.   
[7]   He made known his ways to Moses,   
         his acts to the people of Israel.   
[8]   The LORD is merciful and gracious,   
         slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.   
[9]   He will not always accuse,   
         nor will he keep his anger for ever.   
[10]  He does not deal with us according to our sins,   
         nor repay us according to our iniquities.   
[11]  For as the heavens are high above the earth,   
         so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;   
[12]  as far as the east is from the west,   
         so far he removes our transgressions from us.   
[13]  As a father has compassion for his children,   
         so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him.   
[14]  For he knows how we were made;   
         he remembers that we are dust.

[15]  As for mortals, their days are like grass;   
         they flourish like a flower of the field;   
[16]  for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,   
         and its place knows it no more.   
[17]  But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting   
         on those who fear him,   
         and his righteousness to children's children,   
[18]  to those who keep his covenant   
         and remember to do his commandments.

[19]  The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,   
         and his kingdom rules over all.   
[20]  Bless the LORD, O you his angels,   
         you mighty ones who do his bidding,   
         obedient to his spoken word.   
[21]  Bless the LORD, all his hosts,   
         his ministers that do his will.   
[22]  Bless the LORD, all his works,   
         in all places of his dominion.   
    Bless the LORD, O my soul.

  

Psalm 25

[1]   To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.   
[2]   O my God, in you I trust;   
         do not let me be put to shame;   
         do not let my enemies exult over me.   
[3]   Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;   
         let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

[4]   Make me to know your ways, O LORD;   
         teach me your paths.   
[5]   Lead me in your truth, and teach me,   
         for you are the God of my salvation;   
         for you I wait all day long.

[6]   Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love,   
         for they have been from of old.   
[7]   Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;   
         according to your steadfast love remember me,   
         for your goodness' sake, O LORD!

[8]   Good and upright is the LORD;   
         therefore he instructs sinners in the way.   
[9]   He leads the humble in what is right,   
         and teaches the humble his way.   
[10]  All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,   
         for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

[11]  For your name's sake, O LORD,   
         pardon my guilt, for it is great.   


[12]  Who are they that fear the LORD?   
         He will teach them the way that they should choose

[13]  They will abide in prosperity,   
         and their children shall possess the land.   
[14]  The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,   
         and he makes his covenant known to them.   
[15]  My eyes are ever toward the LORD,   
         for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

[16]  Turn to me and be gracious to me,   
         for I am lonely and afflicted.   
[17]  Relieve the troubles of my heart,   
         and bring me out of my distress.   
[18]  Consider my affliction and my trouble,   
         and forgive all my sins.

[19]  Consider how many are my foes,   
         and with what violent hatred they hate me.   
[20]  O guard my life, and deliver me;   
         do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.   
[21]  May integrity and uprightness preserve me,   
         for I wait for you.

[22]  Redeem Israel, O God,   
         out of all its troubles.

 

Luke 6:1-11

[1]One sabbath while Jesus was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked some heads of grain, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them. [2]But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?" [3]Jesus answered, "Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? [4]He entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and gave some to his companions?" [5]Then he said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath."

[6]On another sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. [7]The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. [8]Even though he knew what they were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come and stand here." He got up and stood there. [9]Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?" [10]After looking around at all of them, he said to him, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was restored. [11]But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

 

Hosea 2:16-23

[16]On that day, says the LORD, you will call me, "My husband," and no longer will you call me, "My Baal." [17]For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be mentioned by name no more. [18]I will make for you a covenant on that day with the wild animals, the birds of the air, and the creeping things of the ground; and I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land; and I will make you lie down in safety. [19]And I will take you for my wife forever; I will take you for my wife in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy. [20]I will take you for my wife in faithfulness; and you shall know the LORD. [21]On that day I will answer, says the LORD, I will answer the heavens and they shall answer the earth; [22]and the earth shall answer the grain, the wine, and the oil, and they shall answer Jezreel; [23]and I will sow him for myself in the land. And I will have pity on Lo-ruhamah, and I will say to Lo-ammi, "You are my people"; and he shall say, "You are my God."

 

Psalm 62

[1]   For God alone my soul waits in silence;  
         from him comes my salvation.  
[2]   He alone is my rock and my salvation,  
         my fortress; I shall never be shaken.

[3]   How long will you assail a person,  
         will you batter your victim, all of you,  
         as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence?  
[4]   Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence.  
         They take pleasure in falsehood;  
    they bless with their mouths,  
         but inwardly they curse.                                           
Selah

[5]   For God alone my soul waits in silence,  
         for my hope is from him.  
[6]   He alone is my rock and my salvation,  
         my fortress; I shall not be shaken.  
[7]   On God rests my deliverance and my honor;  
         my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.

[8]   Trust in him at all times, O people;  
         pour out your heart before him;  
         God is a refuge for us.                                            
     Selah

[9]   Those of low estate are but a breath,  
         those of high estate are a delusion;  
    in the balances they go up;  
         they are together lighter than a breath.  
[10]  Put no confidence in extortion,  
         and set no vain hopes on robbery;  
         if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

[11]  Once God has spoken;  
         twice have I heard this:  
    that power belongs to God,  
[12]       and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.  
    For you repay to all  
         according to their work.