Lord, my God, I call out by day; at night I cry aloud in your presence.
Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry.
For my soul is filled with troubles; my life draws near to Sheol.
I am reckoned with those who go down to the pit; I am weak without strength.

My couch is among the dead, with the slain who lie in the grave.
You remember them no more; they are cut off from your care.
You plunged me into the bottom of the pit, into the darkness of the abyss.

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.

Let no one deceive himself.  If anyone among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool so as to become wise.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: “He catches the wise in their own ruses,” and again: “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.”

Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.  This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God.

This is the spirit of the antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world.  You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

You have given me the strength of a wild bull; you have poured rich oil upon me.
My eyes look with glee on my wicked enemies; my ears delight in the fall of my foes.
The just shall flourish like the palm tree, shall grow like a cedar of Lebanon.
Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall bear fruit even in old age, always vigorous and sturdy,
as they proclaim: “The Lord is just; our rock, in whom there is no wrong.”

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.
I make a solemn vow to keep your just edicts.
I am very much afflicted, Lord; give me life in accord with your word.
Accept my freely offered praise; Lord, teach me your decrees.

My life is always at risk, but I do not forget your teaching.
The wicked have set snares for me, but from your precepts I do not stray.
Your decrees are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
My heart is set on fulfilling your laws; they are my reward forever.

So submit yourselves to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you of two minds.  Begin to lament, to mourn, to weep.  Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection.  Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.

I lie prostrate in the dust; give me life in accord with your word.
I disclosed my ways and you answered me; teach me your laws.
Make me understand the way of your precepts; I will ponder your wondrous deeds.
I weep in bitter pain; in accord with your word strengthen me.

Lead me from the way of deceit; favor me with your teaching.
The way of loyalty I have chosen; I have set your edicts before me.
I cling to your decrees, Lord; do not let me come to shame.
I will run the way of your commands, for you open my docile heart.

So I exhort the presbyters among you (the officially appointed leaders and teachers of the Christian Community), as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed.  Tend the flock of God in your midst, overseeing not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly.  Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock.  And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord
who stand in the house of the Lord through the long hours of the night.
Lift up your hands toward the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.
May the Lord who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion.

Wonderful are your decrees; therefore I observe them.
The revelation of your words sheds light, gives understanding to the simple.
I sigh with open mouth, yearning for your commands.
Turn to me and be gracious, your edict for lovers of your name.

Steady my feet in accord with your promise; do not let iniquity lead me.
Free me from human oppression, that I may keep your precepts.
Let your face shine upon your servant; teach me your laws.
My eyes shed streams of tears because your teaching is not followed.