Psalms 126; Psalms 127; Psalms 128; 1 Corinthians 10:19-33

1 Our enemies took us away from Zion. But when the LORD brought us home, it seemed like a dream to us.

2 Our mouths were filled with laughter. Our tongues sang with joy. Then the people of other nations said, "The LORD has done great things for them."

3 The LORD has done great things for us. And we are filled with joy.

4 Lord, bless us with great success again, as rain makes streams flow in the Negev Desert.

5 Those who cry as they plant their crops will sing with joy when they gather them in.

6 Those who go out sobbing as they carry seeds to plant will come back singing with joy. They will bring the new crop back with them.

1 If the LORD doesn't build a house, the work of its builders is useless. If the LORD doesn't watch over a city, it's useless for those on guard duty to stand watch over it.

2 It's useless for you to work from early morning until late at night just to get food to eat. God provides for those he loves even while they sleep.

3 Children are a gift from the Lord. They are a reward from him.

4 Children who are born to people when they are young are like arrows in the hands of a soldier.

5 Blessed are those who have many children. They won't be put to shame when they go up against their enemies in court.

1 Blessed are all those who have respect for the Lord. They live as he wants them to live.

2 Your work will give you what you need. Blessings and good things will come to you.

3 As a vine bears a lot of fruit, so your wife will have many children by you. They will sit around your table like young olive trees.

4 Only a man who has respect for the LORD will be blessed like that.

5 May the LORD bless you from Zion. May you enjoy the good things that come to Jerusalem all the days of your life.

6 May you live to see your grandchildren. May Israel enjoy peace.

19 Do I mean that what is offered to a statue of a god is anything? Do I mean that a statue of a god is anything?

20 No! But what is offered by those who worship statues of gods is really offered to demons. It is not offered to God. I don't want you to be sharing with demons.

21 You can't drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too. You can't have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons.

22 Are we trying to make the Lord jealous? Are we stronger than he is?

23 You say, "Everything is permitted." But not everything is good for us. Again you say, "Everything is permitted." But not everything builds us up.

24 We should not look out for our own interests. Instead, we should look out for the interests of others.

25 Eat anything that is sold in the meat market. Don't ask if it's right or wrong.

26 Scripture says, "The earth belongs to the Lord. And so does everything in it."(Psalm 24:1)

27 Suppose an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go. Then eat anything that is put in front of you. Don't ask if it's right or wrong.

28 But suppose someone says to you, "This food has been offered to a statue of a god." Then don't eat it. Keep in mind the good of the one who told you. And don't eat because of a sense of what is right and wrong.

29 I'm talking about the other person's sense of what is right and wrong, not yours. Why should my freedom be judged by what someone else thinks?

30 Suppose I give thanks when I eat. Then why should I be blamed for eating food I thank God for?

31 So eat and drink and do everything else for the glory of God.

32 Don't do anything that causes another person to trip and fall. It doesn't matter if that person is a Jew or a Greek or a member of God's church.

33 Follow my example. I try to please everyone in every way. I'm not looking out for what is good for me. I'm looking out for the interests of others. I do it so that they might be saved.