Psalms 97; Psalms 98; Psalms 99; Romans 16

1 The LORD rules. Let the earth be glad. Let countries that are far away be full of joy.

2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him. His rule is built on what is right and fair.

3 The LORD sends fire ahead of him. It burns up his enemies all around him.

4 His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees it and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax when the LORD is near. He is the Lord of the whole earth.

6 The heavens announce that what he does is right. All people everywhere see his glory.

7 All who worship statues of gods or brag about them are put to shame. All you gods, worship the Lord!

8 Zion hears about it and is filled with joy. Lord, the villages of Judah are glad because of how you judge.

9 Lord, you are the Most High God. You rule over the whole earth. You are honored much more than all gods.

10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil. He guards the lives of those who are faithful to him. He saves them from the power of sinful people.

11 The light of his favor shines on those who do what is right. Joy comes to those whose hearts are honest.

12 You who are godly, be glad because of what the LORD has done. Praise him, because his name is holy.

1 Sing a new song to the Lord. He has done wonderful things. By the power of his right hand and his holy arm he has saved his people.

2 The LORD has made known his power to save. He has shown the nations that he does what is right.

3 He has shown his faithful love to the people of Israel. People from one end of the earth to the other have seen that our God has saved us.

4 Shout to the LORD with joy, everyone on earth. Burst into joyful songs and make music.

5 Make music to the LORD with the harp. Sing and make music with the harp.

6 Blow the trumpets. Give a blast on the ram's horn. Shout to the LORD with joy. He is the King.

7 Let the ocean and everything in it roar. Let the world and all who live in it shout.

8 Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing together with joy.

9 Let them sing to the Lord, because he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the nations of the world in keeping with what is right and fair.

1 The LORD rules. Let the nations tremble. He sits on his throne between the cherubim. Let the earth shake.

2 Great is the LORD in Zion. He is honored over all of the nations.

3 Let them praise his great and wonderful name. He is holy.

4 The King is mighty. He loves what is fair. He has set up the rules for fairness. He has done what is right and fair for the people of Jacob.

5 Honor the LORD our God. Worship at his feet. He is holy.

6 Moses and Aaron were two of his priests. Samuel was one of those who worshiped him. They called out to the Lord. And he answered them.

7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud. They obeyed his laws and the orders he gave them.

8 LORD our God, you answered them. You showed Israel that you are a God who forgives. But when they did wrong, you punished them.

9 Honor the LORD our God. Worship at his holy mountain. The LORD our God is holy.

1 I would like you to welcome our sister Phoebe. She serves the church in Cenchrea.

2 I ask you to receive her as one who belongs to the Lord. Receive her in the way God's people should. Give her any help she may need from you. She has been a great help to many people, including me.

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila. They work together with me in serving Christ Jesus.

4 They have put their lives in danger for me. I am thankful for them. So are all the non-Jewish churches.

5 Greet also the church that meets in the house of Priscilla and Aquila.

6 Greet Mary. She worked very hard for you.

7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives. They have been in prison with me. They are leaders among the apostles. They became believers in Christ before I did.

8 Greet Ampliatus. I love him as a brother in the Lord.

9 Greet Urbanus. He works together with me in serving Christ. And greet my dear friend Stachys.

10 Greet Apelles. Even though he was put to the test, he remained faithful as one who belonged to Christ.

11 Greet Herodion, my relative.

12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa. Those women work hard for the Lord.

13 Greet Rufus. He is a choice believer in the Lord. And greet his mother. She has been like a mother to me too.

14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon and Hermes. Greet Patrobas, Hermas and the believers with them.

15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister. Greet Olympas and all of God's people with them.

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send their greetings.

17 I am warning you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who try to keep you from staying together. They want to trip you up. They teach you things opposite to what you have learned. Stay away from them.

18 People like that are not serving Christ our Lord. They are serving only themselves. With smooth talk and with words they don't mean they fool people who don't know any better.

19 Everyone has heard that you obey God. So you have filled me with joy. I want you to be wise about what is good. And I want you to have nothing to do with what is evil.

20 The God who gives peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

21 Timothy works together with me. He sends his greetings to you. So do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my relatives.

22 I, Tertius, wrote down this letter. I greet you as a believer in the Lord.

23 Gaius sends you his greetings. He has welcomed me and the whole church here into his house. Erastus is the director of public works here in the city. He sends you his greetings. Our brother Quartus also greets you.

25 May God receive glory. He is able to strengthen your faith because of the good news I preach. It is the message about Jesus Christ. It is in keeping with the mystery that was hidden for a very long time.

26 The mystery has now been made known through the writings of the prophets. The eternal God commanded that it be made known. He wanted all nations to believe and obey him.

27 May the only wise God receive glory forever through Jesus Christ. Amen.