Scripture Readings

The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
For Year A

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.

Old Testament
Psalm
Epistle Reading
Gospel Reading

Old Testament

Listen to what the LORD says:
“Stand up, plead your case before the mountains;
     let the hills hear what you have to say.
Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s accusation;
     listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.
For the LORD has a case against his people;
     he is lodging a charge against Israel.
“My people, what have I done to you?
     How have I burdened you? Answer me.
I brought you up out of Egypt
     and redeemed you from the land of slavery.
I sent Moses to lead you,
     also Aaron and Miriam.
My people, remember
     what Balak king of Moab counseled
     and what Balaam son of Beor answered.
Remember [your journey] from Shittim to Gilgal,
     that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD.”
With what shall I come before the LORD
     and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
     with calves a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
     with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
     the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
     And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
     and to walk humbly with your God.
—Micah 6:1-8, NIV

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Psalm

LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
     Who may live on your holy hill?
He whose walk is blameless
     and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart
     and has no slander on his tongue,
     who does his neighbor no wrong
     and casts no slur on his fellowman,
who despises a vile man
     but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath
     even when it hurts,
who lends his money without usury
     and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
     will never be shaken.
—Psalm 15, NIV

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Epistle

     For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
     the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
     Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
     Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
—1 Corinthians 1:18-31, NIV

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Gospel

     Now when he saw the crowds, [Jesus] went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
     for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
     for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
     for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
     for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
     for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
     for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
     for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
     for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
     ”Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
—Matthew 5:1-12, NIV

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