Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
14 (A)‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘that (B)I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah:
15 ‘In those days and at that time
I will cause to grow up to David
A (C)Branch of righteousness;
He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
16 In those days Judah will be saved,
And Jerusalem will dwell safely.
And this is the name by which she will be called:
[a]THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.’
A Plea for Deliverance and Forgiveness
A Psalm of David.
25 To (A)You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, I (B)trust in You;
Let me not be ashamed;
(C)Let not my enemies triumph over me.
3 Indeed, let no one who [a]waits on You be ashamed;
Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.
4 (D)Show me 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;
On You I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O Lord, (E)Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old.
7 Do not remember (F)the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
(G)According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
9 The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face (A)and perfect what is lacking in your faith?
Prayer for the Church
11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, (B)direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and (C)abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish (D)your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
The Coming of the Son of Man(A)
25 (B)“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, (C)for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man (D)coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because (E)your redemption draws near.”
The Parable of the Fig Tree(F)
29 (G)Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 (H)Heaven and earth will pass away, but My (I)words will by no means pass away.
The Importance of Watching(J)
34 “But (K)take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with [a]carousing, drunkenness, and (L)cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For (M)it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 (N)Watch therefore, and (O)pray always that you may [b]be counted (P)worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and (Q)to stand before the Son of Man.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.