First Sunday in Advent - C - November 28, 2021

14 Behold, the days come, says YHWH, that I will perform that good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and concerning the house of Judah. 15 In those days, and at that time, will I cause a Branch of righteousness to grow up to David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely; and this is the name by which she shall be called: YHWH our righteousness.

By David.

1 To you, YHWH, do I lift up my soul.
2 My God, I have trusted in you.
Don't let me be shamed.
Don't let my enemies triumph over me.
3 Yes, no one who waits for you shall be shamed.
They shall be shamed who deal treacherously without cause.
4 Show me your ways, YHWH.
Teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth, and teach me,
For you are the God of my salvation,
I wait for you all day long.
6 YHWH, remember your tender mercies and your loving kindness,
for they are from old times.
7 Don't remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions.
Remember me according to your loving kindness,
for your goodness' sake, YHWH.
8 Good and upright is YHWH,
therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.
9 He will guide the humble in justice.
He will teach the humble his way.
10 All the paths of YHWH are loving kindness and truth
to such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For your name's sake, YHWH,
pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
12 What man is he who fears YHWH?
He shall instruct him in the way that he shall choose.
13 His soul shall dwell at ease.
His seed shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of YHWH is with those who fear him.
He will show them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever on YHWH,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn to me, and have mercy on me,
for I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged.
Oh bring me out of my distresses.
18 Consider my affliction and my travail.
Forgive all my sins.
19 Consider my enemies, for they are many.
They hate me with cruel hatred.
20 Oh keep my soul, and deliver me.
Let me not be disappointed, for I take refuge in you.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for you.
22 Redeem Israel, God,
out all of his troubles.

3:12 May the Lord give you an overflowing love for each other and for everyone, just like we loved you. 13 May he give you this love so you can stand before our God and Father as a holy person without guilt. And you can stand with the other holy people with Jesus there in front of you. [Amen.]

4:1 In the beginning, we told you how important it was to live as Christians and to always please God. You are living that way today. So, for now on, we ask you to grow more and more in this life. 2 For you know the instructions we gave you. These are from the Lord Jesus himself.

3:12 May the Lord increase and exceed in (your) love for one another and for all (people), just as we (have love) for you, 13 to establish you as blameless in holiness before our God and Father, in the presence of our Lord Jesus (along) with all his holy ones. [Amen.]

4:1 So, from now on, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how necessary it was for you to walk (throughout life) with and to please God, just as you walk (throughout life) now, you should exceed (in this life) to a greater degree. 2 For you know the commands we gave to you through the Lord Jesus.

Jesus said to his followers:

25 "There will be signs of God's will across the sky. The roaring of the oceans and the crashing of the waves will frustrate the nations on earth. 26 In the mean time, people will grow weak in the face of what will happen to the world. For God will shake up everything in the heavens. 27 Then, everyone will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with a lot of power and flash. 28 When these things happen, stand up tall and raise your heads proudly because, then, God will free you!"

34 Watch yourselves so your minds may not be fogged by fooling around, parties, or daily worries. Watch yourselves so the day when the Son of Man comes might not suddenly catch you, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone, everywhere, in the same way. 36 Be constantly alert! Always ask God to give you the strength to live through those bad times and, in the end, to stand as a true follower before the Son of Man."

Jesus said to his disciples:

25 There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars; on earth (there will be) anguish of nations, being at a loss over (to explain) the roaring of the sea and the (rolling of the) waves, 26 while men faint from fear from fear and expectation of the (events) coming upon the (known) world. For the powers of heaven will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 28 When these (events) begin to occur, straighten up and raise up your heads, because your liberation is at hand.

34 But guard against yourselves lest your minds might not be burdened by carousing, drunkenness, and the worries of daily living, (lest) that day suddenly catch you, 35 like a trap. For (that day) will come upon all (those) sitting on the face of the entire earth. 36 Stay awake every moment, (constantly) pleading that to have the strength to pass safely through all these (events) about to happen, and to stand (with conviction) before the Son of Man."