Scripture Readings

The Fourth Sunday in Easter
In Year C

Scripture readings are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® NIV® ©1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. All rights reserved.

First Reading
Psalm
Epistle Reading
Gospel Reading

First Reading

     In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”
     Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
     Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.
—Acts 9:36-43, NIV

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Psalm

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
     he leads me beside quiet waters,
     he restores my soul.
     He guides me in paths of righteousness
     for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
     through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
     for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
     they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
     in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
     my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
     all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
     forever.
—Psalm 23, NIV

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Epistle

     After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
     who sits on the throne,
     and to the Lamb.”
All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:
“Amen!
     Praise and glory
     and wisdom and thanks and honor
     and power and strength
     be to our God for ever and ever.
     Amen!”
     Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”
     I answered, “Sir, you know.”
     And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore,
“they are before the throne of God
     and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
     Never again will they hunger;
     never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
     nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
     he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
—Revelation 7:9-17, NIV

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Gospel

Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
—John 10:22-30, NIV

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