December 16, 2026

6so that all may know, from the rising of the sun to its setting, that there is none besides me. I am the LORD, there is no other. 7I form the light, and create the darkness, I make weal and create woe; I, the LORD, do all these things. 8Let justice descend, you heavens, like dew from above, like gentle rain let the clouds drop it down. Let the earth open and salvation bud forth; let righteousness spring up with them! I, the LORD, have created this. 18For thus says the LORD, The creator of the heavens, who is God, The designer and maker of the earth who established it, Not as an empty waste did he create it, but designing it to be lived in: I am the LORD, and there is no other. 21Come close and declare; let them take counsel together: Who announced this from the beginning, declared it from of old? Was it not I, the LORD, besides whom there is no other God? There is no just and saving God but me. 22Turn to me and be safe, all you ends of the earth, for I am God; there is no other! 23By myself I swear, uttering my just decree, a word that will not return: To me every knee shall bend; by me every tongue shall swear, 24Saying, “Only in the LORD are just deeds and power. Before him in shame shall come all who vent their anger against him. 25In the LORD all the descendants of Israel shall have vindication and glory.”

9III - I will listen for what God, the LORD, has to say; surely he will speak of peace To his people and to his faithful. May they not turn to foolishness! 10Near indeed is his salvation for those who fear him; glory will dwell in our land. 11Love and truth will meet; justice and peace will kiss. 12Truth will spring from the earth; justice will look down from heaven. 13Yes, the LORD will grant his bounty; our land will yield its produce. 14Justice will march before him, and make a way for his footsteps.

9Go up onto a high mountain, Zion, herald of good news! Cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Cry out, do not fear! Say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God! 10Here comes with power the Lord GOD, who rules by his strong arm; Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him.

18The disciples of John told him about all these things. John summoned two of his disciples 19and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” 20When the men came to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’” 21At that time he cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits; he also granted sight to many who were blind. 22And he said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. 23And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”