Sirach 44:19-45:5
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Abraham
19 Abraham was the great father of a multitude of nations,
and no one has been found like him in glory.(A)
20 He kept the law of the Most High
and entered into a covenant with him;
he certified the covenant in his flesh,
and when he was tested he proved faithful.(B)
21 Therefore the Lord[a] assured him with an oath
that the nations would be blessed through his offspring,
that he would make him as numerous as the dust of the earth
and exalt his offspring like the stars
and give them an inheritance from sea to sea
and from the Euphrates[b] to the ends of the earth.(C)
Isaac and Jacob
22 To Isaac also he gave the same assurance
for the sake of his father Abraham.
The blessing of all people and a covenant(D)
23 he made to rest on the head of Jacob;
he acknowledged him with his blessings
and gave him his inheritance;
he divided his portions
and distributed them among twelve tribes.
Moses
From his descendants the Lord[c] brought forth a man of compassion
who found favor in the sight of all(E)
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Moses, whose memory is blessed.(F)
2 He made him equal in glory to the holy ones
and made him great, to the terror of his enemies.
3 By his words he performed swift miracles;[d]
the Lord[e] glorified him in the presence of kings.
He gave him commandments for his people
and revealed to him his glory.(G)
4 For his faithfulness and meekness he consecrated him,
choosing him out of all humankind.(H)
5 He allowed him to hear his voice
and led him into the dark cloud
and gave him the commandments face to face,
the law of life and knowledge,
so that he might teach Jacob the covenant
and Israel his decrees.(I)
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Paul’s Visions and Revelations
12 It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows.(A) 3 And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— 4 was caught up into paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. 5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6 But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me,(B) 7 even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep[a] me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated.[b] 8 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me,(C) 9 but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power[c] is made perfect in weakness.” So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.(D) 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.(E)
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Luke 19:28-40
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Jesus’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
28 After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.(A)
29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” 32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them.(B) 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord needs it.” 35 Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road.(C) 37 Now as he was approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying,
“Blessed is the king
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven,
and glory in the highest heaven!”(D)
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.”(E) 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”(F)
Read full chapterNew Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.