Old/New Testament
Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord
A Song of (A)Ascents.
126 When the Lord (B)restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who (C)dream.
2 Then our (D)mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
(E)“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 (F)Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
Unless the Lord Builds the House
A Song of (G)Ascents. Of Solomon.
127 Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labour in vain.
Unless the Lord (H)watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious (I)toil;
for he gives to his (J)beloved (K)sleep.
3 Behold, (L)children are a heritage from the Lord,
(M)the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of (N)a warrior
are the children[a] of one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies (O)in the gate.[b]
Blessed Is Everyone Who Fears the Lord
A Song of (P)Ascents.
128 (Q)Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
who (R)walks in his ways!
2 You (S)shall eat the fruit of the labour of your hands;
you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.
3 Your wife will be like (T)a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like (U)olive shoots
round your table.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
who fears the Lord.
5 (V)The Lord bless you (W)from Zion!
May you see (X)the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life!
6 May you see your (Y)children's children!
(Z)Peace be upon Israel!
19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that (A)an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice (B)they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 (C)You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and (D)the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and (E)the table of demons. 22 (F)Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? (G)Are we stronger than he?
Do All to the Glory of God
23 (H)“All things are lawful”, but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful”, but not all things build up. 24 (I)Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbour. 25 (J)Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For (K)“the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.” 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, (L)eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice”, then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29 I do not mean (M)your conscience, but his. For (N)why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that (O)for which I give thanks?
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or (P)whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 (Q)Give no offence to Jews or to Greeks or to (R)the church of God, 33 just as (S)I try to please everyone in everything I do, (T)not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.