Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Dorcas Restored to Life

³⁶ At Joppa there was a certain disciple named ^[a]Tabitha, which is translated ^[b]Dorcas. This woman was full ^(A)of good works and charitable deeds which she did. ³⁷ But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in ^(B)an upper room. ³⁸ And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. ³⁹ Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. ⁴⁰ But Peter ^(C)put them all out, and ^(D)knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he ^(E)said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. ⁴¹ Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. ⁴² And it became known throughout all Joppa, ^(F)and many believed on the Lord. ⁴³ So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with ^(G)Simon, a tanner.

The Lord the Shepherd of His People

A Psalm of David.

A Multitude from the Great Tribulation

⁹ After these things I looked, and behold, ^(A)a great multitude which no one could number, ^(B)of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, ^(C)clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, ¹⁰ and crying out with a loud voice, saying, ^(D)“Salvation belongs to our God ^(E)who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” ^11 (F)All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and ^(G)worshiped God, ^12 (H)saying:

¹³ Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in ^(I)white robes, and where did they come from?”

¹⁴ And I said to him, ^[a]“Sir, you know.”

So he said to me, ^(J)“These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and ^(K)washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵ Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will ^(L)dwell among them. ^16 (M)They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; ^(N)the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; ¹⁷ for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne ^(O)will shepherd them and lead them to ^[b]living fountains of waters. ^(P)And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

The Shepherd Knows His Sheep

²² Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. ²³ And Jesus walked in the temple, ^(A)in Solomon’s porch. ²⁴ Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in ^[a]doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

²⁵ Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. ^(B)The works that I do in My Father’s name, they ^(C)bear witness of Me. ²⁶ But ^(D)you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, ^[b]as I said to you. ^27 (E)My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. ²⁸ And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. ^29 (F)My Father, ^(G)who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. ^30 (H)I and My Father are one.”