Psalm 86

A prayer of David.

Jacob’s Dream at Bethel

¹⁰ Jacob left Beersheba^(A) and set out for Harran.^{(B) 11} When he reached a certain place,^(C) he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head^(D) and lay down to sleep. ¹² He had a dream^(E) in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.^{(F) 13} There above it^[a] stood the Lord,^(G) and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac.^(H) I will give you and your descendants the land^(I) on which you are lying.^{(J) 14} Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you^(K) will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south.^(L) All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.^{[b](M) 15} I am with you^(N) and will watch over you^(O) wherever you go,^(P) and I will bring you back to this land.^(Q) I will not leave you^(R) until I have done what I have promised you.^(S)”^(T)

¹⁶ When Jacob awoke from his sleep,^(U) he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” ¹⁷ He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place!^(V) This is none other than the house of God;^(W) this is the gate of heaven.”

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

⁴³ The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip,^(A) he said to him, “Follow me.”^(B)

⁴⁴ Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.^{(C) 45} Philip found Nathanael^(D) and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law,^(E) and about whom the prophets also wrote^(F)—Jesus of Nazareth,^(G) the son of Joseph.”^(H)

⁴⁶ “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”^(I) Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite^(J) in whom there is no deceit.”^(K)

⁴⁸ “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

⁴⁹ Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi,^(L) you are the Son of God;^(M) you are the king of Israel.”^(N)

⁵⁰ Jesus said, “You believe^[a] because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” ⁵¹ He then added, “Very truly I tell you,^[b] you^[c] will see ‘heaven open,^(O) and the angels of God ascending and descending^(P) on’^[d] the Son of Man.”^(Q)

Psalm 15

A psalm of David.

Psalm 67^[a]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song.

To the Elders and the Flock

5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder^(A) and a witness^(B) of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:^{(C) 2} Be shepherds of God’s flock^(D) that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;^(E) not pursuing dishonest gain,^(F) but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over^(G) those entrusted to you, but being examples^(H) to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd^(I) appears, you will receive the crown of glory^(J) that will never fade away.^(K)

⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves^(L) to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility^(M) toward one another, because,

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.^{(O) 7} Cast all your anxiety on him^(P) because he cares for you.^(Q)

⁸ Be alert and of sober mind.^(R) Your enemy the devil prowls around^(S) like a roaring lion^(T) looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him,^(U) standing firm in the faith,^(V) because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.^(W)

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you^(X) to his eternal glory^(Y) in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,^(Z) will himself restore you and make you strong,^(AA) firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.^(AB)