Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Paul and Silas Imprisoned
16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl (A)possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters (B)much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 18 And this she did for many days.
But Paul, (C)greatly [a]annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” (D)And he came out that very hour. 19 But (E)when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and (F)dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, (G)exceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes (H)and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
The Philippian Jailer Saved
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 (I)Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately (J)all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, (K)“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, (L)“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, (M)he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
A Song of Praise to the Sovereign Lord
2 (B)Clouds and darkness surround Him;
(C)Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
3 (D)A fire goes before Him,
And burns up His enemies round about.
4 (E)His lightnings light the world;
The earth sees and trembles.
5 (F)The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord,
At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 (G)The heavens declare His righteousness,
And all the peoples see His glory.
7 (H)Let all be put to shame who serve carved images,
Who boast of idols.
(I)Worship Him, all you gods.
8 Zion hears and is glad,
And the daughters of Judah rejoice
Because of Your judgments, O Lord.
9 For You, Lord, are (J)most high above all the earth;
(K)You are exalted far above all gods.
10 You who love the Lord, (L)hate evil!
(M)He preserves the souls of His saints;
(N)He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.
11 (O)Light is sown for the righteous,
And gladness for the upright in heart.
12 (P)Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous,
(Q)And give thanks [b]at the remembrance of [c]His holy name.
Jesus Testifies to the Churches
12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and (A)My reward is with Me, (B)to give to every one according to his work. 13 (C)I am the Alpha and the Omega, the [a]Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
14 (D)Blessed are those who [b]do His commandments, that they may have the right (E)to the tree of life, (F)and may enter through the gates into the city.
16 (A)“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. (B)I am the Root and the Offspring of David, (C)the Bright and Morning Star.”
17 And the Spirit and (D)the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” (E)And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
I Am Coming Quickly
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be [a]with you all. Amen.
Jesus Prays for All Believers
20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who [a]will believe in Me through their word; 21 (A)that they all may be one, as (B)You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the (C)glory which You gave Me I have given them, (D)that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; (E)that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
24 (F)“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; (G)for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! (H)The world has not known You, but (I)I have known You; and (J)these have known that You sent Me. 26 (K)And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love (L)with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.