2nd Sunday of Advent

1“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. 2“Speak comfortably to Jerusalem, and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.”

3The voice of one who calls out,

“Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness!

Make a level highway in the desert for our God.

4Every valley shall be exalted,

and every mountain and hill shall be made low.

The uneven shall be made level,

and the rough places a plain.

5The LORD’s glory shall be revealed,

and all flesh shall see it together;

for the mouth of the LORD has spoken it.”

…

9You who tell good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain.

You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength!

Lift it up! Don’t be afraid!

Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold, your God!”

10Behold, the Lord GOD will come as a mighty one,

and his arm will rule for him.

Behold, his reward is with him,

and his recompense before him.

11He will feed his flock like a shepherd.

He will gather the lambs in his arm,

and carry them in his bosom.

He will gently lead those who have their young.

8I will hear what God, the LORD, will speak,

for he will speak peace to his people, his saints;

but let them not turn again to folly.

9Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,

that glory may dwell in our land.

10Mercy and truth meet together.

Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

11Truth springs out of the earth.

Righteousness has looked down from heaven.

12Yes, the LORD will give that which is good.

Our land will yield its increase.

13Righteousness goes before him,

and prepares the way for his steps.

8But don’t forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat; and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11Therefore, since all these things will be destroyed like this, what kind of people ought you to be in holy living and godliness, 12looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, which will cause the burning heavens to be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 14Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without defect and blameless in his sight.

1The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2As it is written in the prophets,

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way before you:

3the voice of one crying in the wilderness,

‘Make ready the way of the Lord!

Make his paths straight!’”

4John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins. 5All the country of Judea and all those of Jerusalem went out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins. 6John was clothed with camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. 7He preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen. 8I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.”