Hab. 3:14–19

3:14 You pierce the heads of his warriors with a spear.

They storm forward to scatter us;

they shout with joy as if they were plundering the poor with no opposition.

15But you trample on the sea with your horses,

on the surging, raging waters.

16I listened and my stomach churned;

the sound made my lips quiver.

My frame went limp, as if my bones were decaying,

and I shook as I tried to walk.

I long for the day of distress

to come upon the people who attack us.

17When the fig tree does not bud,

and there are no grapes on the vines;

when the olive trees do not produce

and the fields yield no crops;

when the sheep disappear from the pen

and there are no cattle in the stalls—

18I will rejoice because of the Lord;

I will be happy because of the God who delivers me!

19The Sovereign Lord is my source of strength.

He gives me the agility of a deer;

he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.

(This prayer is for the song leader. It is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)

Ps. 119:9–16

119:9 ב (Bet)

How can a young person maintain a pure life?

By guarding it according to your instructions.

10With all my heart I seek you.

Do not allow me to stray from your commands.

11In my heart I store up your words,

so I might not sin against you.

12You deserve praise, O Lord.

Teach me your statutes.

13With my lips I proclaim

all the regulations you have revealed.

14I rejoice in the lifestyle prescribed by your rules

as if they were riches of all kinds.

15I will meditate on your precepts

and focus on your behavior.

16I find delight in your statutes;

I do not forget your instructions.

Luke 21:25–38

21:25 “And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth nations will be in distress, anxious over the roaring of the sea and the surging waves. 26People will be fainting from fear and from the expectation of what is coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud with power and great glory. 28But when these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near.”

29Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the other trees. 30When they sprout leaves, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near. 31So also you, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

34“But be on your guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day close down upon you suddenly like a trap. 35For it will overtake all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36But stay alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

37So every day Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, but at night he went and stayed on the Mount of Olives. 38And all the people came to him early in the morning to listen to him in the temple courts.