January 1st, 2017 Readings

First Reading

Isaiah 63:7-9 (NRSV)

God’s Mercy Remembered

⁷ I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord,
    the praiseworthy acts of the Lord,
because of all that the Lord has done for us,
    and the great favor to the house of Israel
that he has shown them according to his mercy,
    according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
⁸ For he said, “Surely they are my people,
    children who will not deal falsely”;
and he became their savior
⁹     in all their distress.
It was no messenger^[a] or angel
    but his presence that saved them;^[b]
in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;
    he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Footnotes:

1. Isaiah 63:9 Gk: Heb anguish
2. Isaiah 63:9 Or savior. ⁹ In all their distress he was distressed; the angel of his presence saved them;

Second Reading

Hebrews 2:10-18 (NRSV)

¹⁰ It was fitting that God,^[a] for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. ¹¹ For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.^[b] For this reason Jesus^[c] is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,^{[d] 12} saying,

“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,^[e]
    in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”

¹³ And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”

And again,

“Here am I and the children whom God has given me.”

¹⁴ Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. ¹⁶ For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters^[f] in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Footnotes:

1. Hebrews 2:10 Gk he
2. Hebrews 2:11 Gk are all of one
3. Hebrews 2:11 Gk he
4. Hebrews 2:11 Gk brothers
5. Hebrews 2:12 Gk brothers
6. Hebrews 2:17 Gk brothers