Bible Society of South Africa

Seisoen na Pinkster: Proper 7 (12)

Alternatiewe eerste lesing en Psalm

God's Punishment of the Rebellious

1The LORD said, “I was ready to answer my people's prayers, but they did not pray. I was ready for them to find me, but they did not even try. The nation did not pray to me, even though I was always ready to answer, ‘Here I am; I will help you.’ 2I have always been ready to welcome my people, who stubbornly do what is wrong and go their own way. 3They shamelessly keep on making me angry. They offer pagan sacrifices in sacred gardens and burn incense on pagan altars. 4At night they go to caves and tombs to consult the spirits of the dead. They eat pork and drink broth made from meat offered in pagan sacrifices. 5And then they say to others, ‘Keep away from us; we are too holy for you to touch!’ I cannot stand people like that — my anger against them is like a fire that never goes out.

6“I have already decided on their punishment, and their sentence is written down. I will not overlook what they have done, but will repay them 7for their sins and the sins of their ancestors. They have burnt incense at pagan hill shrines and spoken evil of me. So I will punish them as their past deeds deserve.”

8The LORD says, “No one destroys good grapes; instead, they make wine with them. Neither will I destroy all my people — I will save those who serve me. 9I will bless the Israelites who belong to the tribe of Judah, and their descendants will possess my land of mountains. My chosen people, who serve me, will live there.

Isaiah 65:1-9GNBOpen in Bible reader

19O LORD, don't stay away from me!

Come quickly to my rescue!

20Save me from the sword;

save my life from these dogs.

21Rescue me from these lions;

I am helpless before these wild bulls.

22I will tell my people what you have done;

I will praise you in their assembly:

23“Praise him, you servants of the LORD!

Honour him, you descendants of Jacob!

Worship him, you people of Israel!

24He does not neglect the poor or ignore their suffering;

he does not turn away from them,

but answers when they call for help.”

25In the full assembly I will praise you for what you have done;

in the presence of those who worship you

I will offer the sacrifices I promised.

26The poor will eat as much as they want;

those who come to the LORD will praise him.

May they prosper for ever!

27All nations will remember the LORD.

From every part of the world they will turn to him;

all races will worship him.

28The LORD is king,

and he rules the nations.

Psalms 22:19-28GNBOpen in Bible reader
Bible Society of South Africav.4.26.9
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