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

1 When the LORD changed Zion's circumstances for the better, it was like we had been dreaming.

2 Our mouths were suddenly filled with laughter; our tongues were filled with joyful shouts. It was even said, at that time, among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them!"

3 Yes, the LORD has done great things for us, and we are overjoyed.

4 LORD, change our circumstances for the better, like dry streams in the desert waste!

5 Let those who plant with tears reap the harvest with joyful shouts.

6 Let those who go out, crying and carrying their seed, come home with joyful shouts, carrying bales of grain!

1 Unless it is the LORD who builds the house, the builders' work is pointless. Unless it is the LORD who protects the city, the guard on duty is pointless.

2 It is pointless that you get up early and stay up late, eating the bread of hard labor because God gives sleep to those he loves.

3 No doubt about it: children are a gift from the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a divine reward.

4 The children born when one is young are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.

5 The person who fills a quiver full with them is truly happy! They won't be ashamed when arguing with their enemies in the gate.

1 Everyone who honors the LORD, who walks in God's ways, is truly happy!

2 You will definitely enjoy what you've worked hard for— you'll be happy; and things will go well for you.

3 In your house, your wife will be like a vine full of fruit. All around your table, your children will be like olive trees, freshly planted.

4 That's how it goes for anyone who honors the LORD: they will be blessed!

5 May the LORD bless you from Zion. May you experience Jerusalem's goodness your whole life long.

6 And may you see your grandchildren. Peace be on Israel!

19 What am I saying then? That food sacrificed to a false god is anything, or that a false god is anything?

20 No, but this kind of sacrifice is sacrificed to demons and not to God. I don't want you to be sharing in demons.

21 You can't drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you can't participate in the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

22 Or should we make the Lord jealous? We aren't stronger than he is, are we?

23 Everything is permitted, but everything isn't beneficial. Everything is permitted, but everything doesn't build others up.

24 No one should look out for their own advantage, but they should look out for each other.

25 Eat everything that is sold in the marketplace, without asking questions about it because of your conscience.

26 The earth and all that is in it belong to the Lord.

27 If an unbeliever invites you to eat with them and you want to go, eat whatever is served, without asking questions because of your conscience.

28 But if someone says to you, "This meat was sacrificed in a temple," then don't eat it for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.

29 Now when I say "conscience" I don't mean yours but the other person's. Why should my freedom be judged by someone else's conscience?

30 If I participate with gratitude, why should I be blamed for food I thank God for?

31 So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, you should do it all for God's glory.

32 Don't offend either Jews or Greeks, or God's church.

33 This is the same thing that I do. I please everyone in everything I do. I don't look out for my own advantage, but I look out for many people so that they can be saved.