1 Thessalonians 2:2b-12
Psalm 97:1-2,7-12or
Psalm 96:1-7
Matthew 28:16-20
1 Thessalonians 2:2b-12
We had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.
You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you believers. As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
Psalm 97:1-2,7-12
Dominus regnavit
1 The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice :
let the multitude of islands be glad.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him :
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
7 They are ashamed,
all those who serve idols and glory in mere nothings :
all gods bow down before him.
8 Zion heard and was glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoiced :
because of your judgements, O God.
9 For you, Lord, are most high over all the earth :
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 The Lord loves those that hate evil :
the Lord guards the life of the faithful,
and delivers them from the hand of the ungodly.
11 Light dawns for the righteous :
and joy for the true of heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous :
and give thanks to his holy name.
2 Sing to the Lord and bless his holy name :
proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations :
and his wonders among all peoples.
4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised :
he is more to be feared than all gods.
5 As for all the gods of the nations, they are mere idols :
it is the Lord who made the heavens.
6 Majesty and glory are before him :
beauty and power are in his sanctuary.
7 Render to the Lord, you families of the nations :
render to the Lord glory and might.