Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Psalm 7^[a]

A shiggaion^[b](A) of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjamite.

⁷ “Son of man, I have made you a watchman^(A) for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.^{(B) 8} When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,^(C)’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for^[a] their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.^{(D) 9} But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so,^(E) they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.^(F)

¹⁰ “Son of man, say to the Israelites, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away^(G) because of^[b] them. How then can we live?^(H)”’ ¹¹ Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.^(I) Turn!^(J) Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’^(K)

¹² “Therefore, son of man, say to your people,^(L) ‘If someone who is righteous disobeys, that person’s former righteousness will count for nothing. And if someone who is wicked repents, that person’s former wickedness will not bring condemnation. The righteous person who sins will not be allowed to live even though they were formerly righteous.’^{(M) 13} If I tell a righteous person that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness and do evil, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered; they will die for the evil they have done.^{(N) 14} And if I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ but they then turn away from their sin and do what is just^(O) and right— ¹⁵ if they give back what they took in pledge^(P) for a loan, return what they have stolen,^(Q) follow the decrees that give life, and do no evil—that person will surely live; they will not die.^{(R) 16} None of the sins^(S) that person has committed will be remembered against them. They have done what is just and right; they will surely live.^(T)

¹⁷ “Yet your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ But it is their way that is not just. ¹⁸ If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil,^(U) they will die for it.^{(V) 19} And if a wicked person turns away from their wickedness and does what is just and right, they will live by doing so.^{(W) 20} Yet you Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ But I will judge each of you according to your own ways.”^(X)

¹⁹ Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself;^(A) he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. ²⁰ For the Father loves the Son^(B) and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these,^(C) so that you will be amazed. ²¹ For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life,^(D) even so the Son gives life^(E) to whom he is pleased to give it. ²² Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,^{(F) 23} that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.^(G)

²⁴ “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me^(H) has eternal life^(I) and will not be judged^(J) but has crossed over from death to life.^{(K) 25} Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come^(L) when the dead will hear^(M) the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. ²⁶ For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life^(N) in himself. ²⁷ And he has given him authority to judge^(O) because he is the Son of Man.

²⁸ “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming^(P) when all who are in their graves will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.^{(Q) 30} By myself I can do nothing;^(R) I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just,^(S) for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.^(T)

Testimonies About Jesus

³¹ “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.^{(U) 32} There is another who testifies in my favor,^(V) and I know that his testimony about me is true.

³³ “You have sent to John and he has testified^(W) to the truth. ³⁴ Not that I accept human testimony;^(X) but I mention it that you may be saved.^{(Y) 35} John was a lamp that burned and gave light,^(Z) and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

³⁶ “I have testimony weightier than that of John.^(AA) For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing^(AB)—testify that the Father has sent me.^{(AC) 37} And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me.^(AD) You have never heard his voice nor seen his form,^{(AE) 38} nor does his word dwell in you,^(AF) for you do not believe^(AG) the one he sent.^{(AH) 39} You study^[a] the Scriptures^(AI) diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life.^(AJ) These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,^{(AK) 40} yet you refuse to come to me^(AL) to have life.