Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
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.
8 Bring out (A)the people who are blind, yet have eyes,
who are deaf, yet have ears!
9 (B)All the nations gather together,
and the peoples assemble.
Who among them can declare this,
and show us the former things?
Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right,
and let them hear and say, It is true.
10 (C)“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
“and (D)my servant whom I have chosen,
that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
(E)Before me no god was formed,
nor shall there be any after me.
11 (F)I, I am the Lord,
and besides me there is no savior.
12 I declared and saved and proclaimed,
when there was no strange god among you;
and (G)you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God.
13 Also (H)henceforth I am he;
there is none who can deliver from my hand;
I work, and who can turn it back?”
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you (A)Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and (B)fellow soldier, and your messenger and (C)minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So (D)receive him in the Lord with all joy, and (E)honor such men, 30 for he nearly died[a] (F)for the work of Christ, risking his life (G)to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
Righteousness Through Faith in Christ
3 Finally, my brothers,[b] (H)rejoice in the Lord. (I)To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.