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!

Psalm 67

[1]   May God be gracious to us and bless us  
         and make his face to shine upon us,  

Selah

[2]   that your way may be known upon earth,  
         your saving power among all nations.  
[3]   Let the peoples praise you, O God;  
         let all the peoples praise you.

[4]   Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,  
         for you judge the peoples with equity  
         and guide the nations upon earth.  

Selah

[5]   Let the peoples praise you, O God;  
         let all the peoples praise you.

[6]   The earth has yielded its increase;  
         God, our God, has blessed us.  
[7]   May God continue to bless us;  
         let all the ends of the earth revere him.

James 2:1-13

[1]My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? [2]For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, [3]and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," [4]have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? [5]Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? [6]But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? [7]Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you? 

[8]You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." [9]But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. [10]For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. [11]For the one who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. [12]So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. [13]For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. 

 

Luke 15:1-2; 11-32

[1]Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.

[2]And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."

[11]Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. [12]The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. [13]A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. [14]When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. [15]So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. [16]He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. [17]But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! [18]I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; [19]I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands."' [20]So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. [21]Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'[22]But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe - the best one - and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23]And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; [24]for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate.

[25]"Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. [26]He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. [27]He replied, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' [28]Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. [29]But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. [30]But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' [31]Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. [32]But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'"

 

Joel 2:12-19

[12]Yet even now, says the LORD,  

     return to me with all your heart,  

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;  

[13]     rend your hearts and not your clothing.  

Return to the LORD, your God,  

     for he is gracious and merciful,  

slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,  

     and relents from punishing.  

[14]Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,  

     and leave a blessing behind him,  

a grain offering and a drink offering  

     for the LORD, your God?

[15]Blow the trumpet in Zion;  

     sanctify a fast;  

call a solemn assembly; 

[16]     gather the people.  

Sanctify the congregation;  

     assemble the aged;  

gather the children,  

     even infants at the breast.  

Let the bridegroom leave his room,  

     and the bride her canopy.

[17]Between the vestibule and the altar  

     let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep.  

Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD,  

     and do not make your heritage a mockery,  

     a byword among the nations.  

Why should it be said among the peoples,  

     'Where is their God?'"

[18]Then the LORD became jealous for his land,  

     and had pity on his people.  

[19]In response to his people the LORD said:  

I am sending you  

     grain, wine, and oil,  

     and you will be satisfied;  

and I will no more make you  

a mockery among the nations

Psalm 30

[1]   I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up,  

          and did not let my foes rejoice over me.  

[2]   O LORD my God, I cried to you for help,  

          and you have healed me.  

[3]   O LORD, you brought up my soul from Sheol,  

          restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.

[4]   Sing praises to the LORD, O you his faithful ones,  

          and give thanks to his holy name.  

[5]   For his anger is but for a moment;  

          his favor is for a lifetime.  

     Weeping may linger for the night,  

          but joy comes with the morning.

[6]   As for me, I said in my prosperity,  

          "I shall never be moved."  

[7]   By your favor, O LORD,  

          you had established me as a strong mountain;  

     you hid your face;  

          I was dismayed.  

[8]   To you, O LORD, I cried,  

          and to the LORD I made supplication:  

[9]   "What profit is there in my death,  

          if I go down to the Pit?  

     Will the dust praise you?  

          Will it tell of your faithfulness?  

[10]  Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me!  

          O LORD, be my helper!"  

[11]  You have turned my mourning into dancing;  

          you have taken off my sackcloth  

          and clothed me with joy,  

[12]  so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.  

          O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

  

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 19

[18]He said therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? [19]It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches." 

[20]And again he said, "To what should I compare the kingdom of God? [21]It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened." 

Psalm 104

[1]   Bless the LORD, O my soul.   
         O LORD my God, you are very great.   
    You are clothed with honor and majesty,   
[2]        wrapped in light as with a garment.   
    You stretch out the heavens like a tent,   
[3]        you set the beams of your chambers on the waters,   
    you make the clouds your chariot,   
         you ride on the wings of the wind,   
[4]   you make the winds your messengers,   
         fire and flame your ministers.

[5]   You set the earth on its foundations,   
         so that it shall never be shaken.   
[6]   You cover it with the deep as with a garment;   
         the waters stood above the mountains.   
[7]   At your rebuke they flee;   
         at the sound of your thunder they take to flight.   
[8]   They rose up to the mountains, ran down to the valleys   
         to the place that you appointed for them.   
[9]   You set a boundary that they may not pass,   
         so that they might not again cover the earth.

[10]  You make springs gush forth in the valleys;   
         they flow between the hills,   
[11]  giving drink to every wild animal;   
         the wild asses quench their thirst.   
[12]  By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation;   
         they sing among the branches.   
[13]  From your lofty abode you water the mountains;   
         the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

[14]  You cause the grass to grow for the cattle,   
         and plants for people to use,   
    to bring forth food from the earth,   
[15]       and wine to gladden the human heart,   
    oil to make the face shine,   
         and bread to strengthen the human heart.   
[16]  The trees of the LORD are watered abundantly,   
         the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.   
[17]  In them the birds build their nests;   
         the stork has its home in the fir trees.   
[18]  The high mountains are for the wild goats;   
         the rocks are a refuge for the coneys.   
[19]  You have made the moon to mark the seasons;   
         the sun knows its time for setting.   
[20]  You make darkness, and it is night,   
         when all the animals of the forest come creeping out.   
[21]  The young lions roar for their prey,   
         seeking their food from God.   
[22]  When the sun rises, they withdraw   
         and lie down in their dens.   
[23]  People go out to their work   
         and to their labor until the evening.

[24]  O LORD, how manifold are your works!   
         In wisdom you have made them all;   
         the earth is full of your creatures.   
[25]  Yonder is the sea, great and wide,   
         creeping things innumerable are there,   
         living things both small and great.   
[26]There go the ships,   
         and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.

[27]  These all look to you   
         to give them their food in due season;   
[28]  when you give to them, they gather it up;   
         when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.   
[29]  When you hide your face, they are dismayed;   
         when you take away their breath, they die   
         and return to their dust.   
[30]  When you send forth your spirit, they are created;   
         and you renew the face of the ground.

[31]  May the glory of the LORD endure for ever;   
         may the LORD rejoice in his works --   
[32]  who looks on the earth and it trembles,   
         who touches the mountains and they smoke.   
[33]  I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;   
         I will sing praise to my God while I have being.   
[34]  May my meditation be pleasing to him,   
         for I rejoice in the LORD.   
[35]  Let sinners be consumed from the earth,   
         and let the wicked be no more.   
    Bless the LORD, O my soul.   
    Praise the Lord!

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 13:18-21

[18]He said therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? [19]It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches." 

[20]And again he said, "To what should I compare the kingdom of God? [21]It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened." 

Psalm 133

[1]   How very good and pleasant it is  

          when kindred live together in unity!  

[2]   It is like the precious oil on the head,  

          running down upon the beard,  

     on the beard of Aaron,  

          running down over the collar of his robes.  

[3]   It is like the dew of Hermon,  

          which falls on the mountains of Zion.  

     For there the LORD ordained his blessing,  

          life forevermore.

 

Psalm 29

[1]   Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,   
         ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.   
[2]   Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name;   
         worship the LORD in holy splendor.

[3]   The voice of the LORD is over the waters;   
         the God of glory thunders,   
         the LORD, over mighty waters.   
[4]   The voice of the LORD is powerful;   
         the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

[5]   The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;   
         the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.   
[6]   He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,   
         and Sirion like a young wild ox.

[7]   The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.   
[8]   The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;   
         the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

[9]   The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl,   
         and strips the forest bare;   
         and in his temple all say, "Glory!"

[10]  The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;   
         the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.   
[11]  May the LORD give strength to his people!   
         May the LORD bless his people with peace!

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 63

[1]   O God, you are my God, I seek you,   
         my soul thirsts for you;   
    my flesh faints for you,   
         as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.   
[2]   So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,   
         beholding your power and glory.   
[3]   Because your steadfast love is better than life,   
         my lips will praise you.   
[4]   So I will bless you as long as I live;   
         I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

[5]   My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast,   
         and my mouth praises you with joyful lips   
[6]   when I think of you on my bed,   
         and meditate on you in the watches of the night;   
[7]   for you have been my help,   
         and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.   
[8]   My soul clings to you;   
         your right hand upholds me.

[9]   But those who seek to destroy my life   
         shall go down into the depths of the earth;   
[10]  they shall be given over to the power of the sword,   
         they shall be prey for jackals.   
[11]  But the king shall rejoice in God;   
         all who swear by him shall exult,   
         for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

  

Isaiah 25:6-9

[6]On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. [7]And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. [8]Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.