Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

⁴ Your foes roared^(K) in the place where you met with us;
    they set up their standards^(L) as signs.
⁵ They behaved like men wielding axes
    to cut through a thicket of trees.^(M)
6 They smashed all the carved^(N) paneling
    with their axes and hatchets.
⁷ They burned your sanctuary to the ground;
    they defiled^(O) the dwelling place^(P) of your Name.^(Q)
8 They said in their hearts, “We will crush^(R) them completely!”
    They burned^(S) every place where God was worshiped in the land.

⁹ We are given no signs from God;^(T)
    no prophets^(U) are left,
    and none of us knows how long this will be.
¹⁰ How long^(V) will the enemy mock^(W) you, God?
    Will the foe revile^(X) your name forever?
¹¹ Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?^(Y)
    Take it from the folds of your garment^(Z) and destroy them!

¹² But God is my King^(AA) from long ago;
    he brings salvation^(AB) on the earth.

¹³ It was you who split open the sea^(AC) by your power;
    you broke the heads of the monster^(AD) in the waters.
¹⁴ It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan^(AE)
    and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.^(AF)
15 It was you who opened up springs^(AG) and streams;
    you dried up^(AH) the ever-flowing rivers.
¹⁶ The day is yours, and yours also the night;
    you established the sun and moon.^(AI)
17 It was you who set all the boundaries^(AJ) of the earth;
    you made both summer and winter.^(AK)

¹⁸ Remember how the enemy has mocked you, Lord,
    how foolish people^(AL) have reviled your name.
¹⁹ Do not hand over the life of your dove^(AM) to wild beasts;
    do not forget the lives of your afflicted^(AN) people forever.
²⁰ Have regard for your covenant,^(AO)
    because haunts of violence fill the dark places^(AP) of the land.
²¹ Do not let the oppressed^(AQ) retreat in disgrace;
    may the poor and needy^(AR) praise your name.
²² Rise up,^(AS) O God, and defend your cause;
    remember how fools^(AT) mock you all day long.
²³ Do not ignore the clamor^(AU) of your adversaries,^(AV)
    the uproar^(AW) of your enemies,^(AX) which rises continually.

“Surely the great houses will become desolate,^(E)
    the fine mansions left without occupants.
¹⁰ A ten-acre vineyard will produce only a bath^[a] of wine;
    a homer^[b] of seed will yield only an ephah^[c] of grain.”^(F)

¹¹ Woe^(G) to those who rise early in the morning
    to run after their drinks,
who stay up late at night
    till they are inflamed with wine.^(H)
12 They have harps and lyres at their banquets,
    pipes^(I) and timbrels^(J) and wine,
but they have no regard^(K) for the deeds of the Lord,
    no respect for the work of his hands.^(L)
13 Therefore my people will go into exile^(M)
    for lack of understanding;^(N)
those of high rank^(O) will die of hunger
    and the common people will be parched with thirst.^(P)
14 Therefore Death^(Q) expands its jaws,
    opening wide its mouth;^(R)
into it will descend their nobles and masses
    with all their brawlers and revelers.^(S)
15 So people will be brought low^(T)
    and everyone humbled,^(U)
    the eyes of the arrogant^(V) humbled.
¹⁶ But the Lord Almighty will be exalted^(W) by his justice,^(X)
    and the holy God will be proved holy^(Y) by his righteous acts.
¹⁷ Then sheep will graze as in their own pasture;^(Z)
    lambs will feed^[d] among the ruins of the rich.

¹⁸ Woe^(AA) to those who draw sin along with cords^(AB) of deceit,
    and wickedness^(AC) as with cart ropes,
¹⁹ to those who say, “Let God hurry;
    let him hasten^(AD) his work
    so we may see it.
The plan of the Holy One^(AE) of Israel—
    let it approach, let it come into view,
    so we may know it.”^(AF)

²⁰ Woe^(AG) to those who call evil good^(AH)
    and good evil,^(AI)
who put darkness for light
    and light for darkness,^(AJ)
who put bitter for sweet
    and sweet for bitter.^(AK)

²¹ Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes^(AL)
    and clever in their own sight.

²² Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine^(AM)
    and champions at mixing drinks,^(AN)
23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe,^(AO)
    but deny justice^(AP) to the innocent.^(AQ)