Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Psalm 131

A song of ascents. Of David.

¹⁰ Then the prophet Hananiah took the yoke^(A) off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah and broke it, ¹¹ and he said^(B) before all the people, “This is what the Lord says: ‘In the same way I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon off the neck of all the nations within two years.’” At this, the prophet Jeremiah went on his way.

¹² After the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: ¹³ “Go and tell Hananiah, ‘This is what the Lord says: You have broken a wooden yoke, but in its place you will get a yoke of iron. ¹⁴ This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will put an iron yoke^(C) on the necks of all these nations to make them serve^(D) Nebuchadnezzar^(E) king of Babylon, and they will serve him. I will even give him control over the wild animals.^(F)’”

¹⁵ Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Listen, Hananiah! The Lord has not sent^(G) you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies.^{(H) 16} Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I am about to remove you from the face of the earth.^(I) This very year you are going to die,^(J) because you have preached rebellion^(K) against the Lord.’”

¹⁷ In the seventh month of that same year, Hananiah the prophet died.^(L)

God’s Faithfulness

3 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? ² Much in every way!^(A) First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.^(B)

³ What if some were unfaithful?^(C) Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?^{(D) 4} Not at all! Let God be true,^(E) and every human being a liar.^(F) As it is written:

⁵ But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly,^(H) what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)^{(I) 6} Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?^{(J) 7} Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory,^(K) why am I still condemned as a sinner?”^{(L) 8} Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”?^(M) Their condemnation is just!