Bible Society of South Africa

Seisoen na Pinkster: Proper 18 (23)

Eerste lesing en Psalm

Jeremiah at the Potter's House

1The LORD said to me, 2“Go down to the potter's house, where I will give you my message.” 3So I went there and saw the potter working at his wheel. 4Whenever a piece of pottery turned out imperfect, he would take the clay and make it into something else.

5Then the LORD said to me, 6“Haven't I the right to do with you people of Israel what the potter did with the clay? You are in my hands just like clay in the potter's hands. 7If at any time I say that I am going to uproot, break down, or destroy any nation or kingdom, 8but then that nation turns from its evil, I will not do what I said I would. 9On the other hand, if I say that I am going to plant or build up any nation or kingdom, 10but then that nation disobeys me and does evil, I will not do what I said I would. 11Now then, tell the people of Judah and of Jerusalem that I am making plans against them and getting ready to punish them. Tell them to stop living sinful lives — to change their ways and the things they are doing.

Jeremiah 18:1-11GNBOpen in Bible reader

God's Complete Knowledge and Care

1LORD, you have examined me and you know me.

2You know everything I do;

from far away you understand all my thoughts.

3You see me, whether I am working or resting;

you know all my actions.

4Even before I speak,

you already know what I will say.

5You are all round me on every side;

you protect me with your power.

6Your knowledge of me is too deep;

it is beyond my understanding.

Psalms 139:1-6GNBOpen in Bible reader

13You created every part of me;

you put me together in my mother's womb.

14I praise you because you are to be feared;

all you do is strange and wonderful.

I know it with all my heart.

15When my bones were being formed,

carefully put together in my mother's womb,

when I was growing there in secret,

you knew that I was there —

16you saw me before I was born.

The days allotted to me

had all been recorded in your book,

before any of them ever began.

17O God, how difficult I find your thoughts;

how many of them there are!

18If I counted them, they would be more than the grains of sand.

When I awake, I am still with you.

Psalms 139:13-18GNBOpen in Bible reader
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