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20 Gather! Come! Draw near together,
you survivors from the nations.
They have no knowledge—
those who are lifting up their idols of wood
and praying to a god that cannot save.
21 Make an announcement and come close.
Let them consult together.
Who made this known ahead of time?
From time past who announced it?
Was it not I, the Lord?
There is no god except me,
a righteous God and Savior.
There is no one except me.
22 Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth,
because I am God,
and there is no other.
23 I have sworn by myself.
From my mouth a righteous word has gone out,
and it will not return unfulfilled.
Indeed, to me every knee will bow,
and every tongue will swear allegiance.
24 “Only in the Lord,” they will say of me,
“Only in the Lord is there true righteousness and strength.”
To him they will come and be ashamed—
all those who are angry at him.
25 In the Lord, all the descendants[a] of Israel will be justified.
They will be praised by him.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 45:25 Or all the seed
  2. Isaiah 45:25 Or be confident in him or shine in glory

Psalm 111

God’s Works and God’s Word

Opening Praise

Praise the Lord.[a]

I will thank the Lord with all my heart
    in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.

God’s Works

Great are the deeds of the Lord.
They are studied by all who delight in them.
Glorious and majestic is his work,
and his righteousness stands forever.
He has set up a memorial to his wonders.
Gracious and compassionate is the Lord.
He gives food to those who fear him.
He remembers his covenant forever.
He has declared the power of his deeds to his people,
    to give them the nations as their possession.
The works of his hands are truth and justice.

God’s Word

All his precepts are trustworthy,
steadfast forever and ever,
done in truth and uprightness.
He sent redemption for his people.
He commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning[b] of wisdom.
All who do his precepts have good understanding.

Closing Praise

His praise stands forever.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 111:1 Hebrew hallelu Yah
  2. Psalm 111:10 Or foundation or prerequisite

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, waiting for the comfort of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Moved by the Spirit he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the law, 28 Simeon took him into his arms and praised God. He said,

29 Lord, you now dismiss your servant in peace, according to
    your word,
30 because my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared before the face of all people,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your
    people Israel.

33 Joseph[a] and the child’s[b] mother were amazed at the things that were spoken about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Listen carefully, this child is appointed for the falling and rising of many in Israel and for a sign that is spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 Anna, a prophetess, was there. She was a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old. She had lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage,[c] 37 and then she was a widow of eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple complex, since she was worshipping with fasting and prayers night and day. 38 Standing nearby at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord. She kept speaking about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.[d]

39 When they had accomplished everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town, Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong.[e] He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:33 Some witnesses to the text read His father.
  2. Luke 2:33 Literally his
  3. Luke 2:36 Literally after her virginity
  4. Luke 2:38 Some witnesses to the text read in Jerusalem.
  5. Luke 2:40 Some witnesses to the text add spiritually or in spirit.

List of Virtues

12 Therefore, as God’s elect, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against anyone else. Forgive, just as Christ[a] forgave you. 14 And, in addition to all these things, put on love, which ties things together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ control your hearts, to which you were also called, in one body. And be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ[b] dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.[c] 17 And everything you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:13 Some witnesses to the text read the Lord.
  2. Colossians 3:16 A few witnesses to the text read God.
  3. Colossians 3:16 Some witnesses to the text read the Lord.