Galatians 5:1-15; Lamentations 5; Psalms 147

Galatians 5:1-15

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.

3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.

4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.

9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.

12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

Lamentations 5

1 Remember, O Lord, what has come upon us; Look, and behold our reproach!

2 Our inheritance has been turned over to aliens, And our houses to foreigners.

3 We have become orphans and waifs, Our mothers are like widows.

4 We pay for the water we drink, And our wood comes at a price.

5 They pursue at our heels; We labor and have no rest.

6 We have given our hand to the Egyptians And the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.

7 Our fathers sinned and are no more, But we bear their iniquities.

8 Servants rule over us; There is none to deliver us from their hand.

9 We get our bread at the risk of our lives, Because of the sword in the wilderness.

10 Our skin is hot as an oven, Because of the fever of famine.

11 They ravished the women in Zion, The maidens in the cities of Judah.

12 Princes were hung up by their hands, And elders were not respected.

13 Young men ground at the millstones; Boys staggered under loads of wood.

14 The elders have ceased gathering at the gate, And the young men from their music.

15 The joy of our heart has ceased; Our dance has turned into mourning.

16 The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!

17 Because of this our heart is faint; Because of these things our eyes grow dim;

18 Because of Mount Zion which is desolate, With foxes walking about on it.

19 You, O Lord, remain forever; Your throne from generation to generation.

20 Why do You forget us forever, And forsake us for so long a time?

21 Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored; Renew our days as of old,

22 Unless You have utterly rejected us, And are very angry with us!

Psalms 147

1 Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.

2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.

3 He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.

4 He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.

5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.

6 The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.

7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God,

8 Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.

9 He gives to the beast its food, And to the young ravens that cry.

10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.

11 The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.

12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!

13 For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your children within you.

14 He makes peace in your borders, And fills you with the finest wheat.

15 He sends out His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly.

16 He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes;

17 He casts out His hail like morsels; Who can stand before His cold?

18 He sends out His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow.

19 He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and His judgments to Israel.

20 He has not dealt thus with any nation; And as for His judgments, they have not known them. Praise the Lord!