Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts 13:44-52

44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,

  “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
    that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 145

1 I will magnify you, O God my King,*
  and I will praise your Name for ever and ever.

2 Every day will I give thanks to you,*
  and praise your Name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the LORD, and most worthy to be praised;*
  there is no end of his greatness.

4 One generation shall praise your works to another,*
  and shall declare your power.

5 As for me, I will be talking of the glorious splendor of your majesty,*
  and of all your wondrous works.

6 They shall speak of the might of your marvelous acts,*
  and I also will tell of your greatness.

7 The remembrance of your abundant goodness shall they proclaim,*
  and they shall sing of your righteousness.

8 The LORD is gracious and merciful,*
  long-suffering, and of great kindness.

9 The LORD is loving to everyone,*
  and his mercy is over all his works.

10 All your works praise you, O LORD,*
  and your faithful servants give thanks to you.

11 They speak of the glory of your kingdom*
  and talk of your power,

12 That your power may be known to the children of men,*
  even the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,*
  and your dominion endures throughout all ages.

14 The LORD upholds all those who fall*
  and lifts up all those who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord,*
  and you give them their food in due season.

16 You open wide your hand,*
  and fill all things living with plenteousness.

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways*
  and merciful in all his works.

18 The LORD is near to all those who call upon him,*
  to all who call upon him faithfully.

19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear him;*
  he also will hear their cry and will help them.

20 The LORD preserves all those who love him,*
  but he will destroy all the ungodly.

21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD;*
  and let all flesh give thanks unto his holy Name for ever and ever.

Revelation 19:1-9

19:1 After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,

  “Hallelujah!
  Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2     for his judgments are true and just;
  for he has judged the great prostitute
    who corrupted the earth with her immorality,
  and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

3 Once more they cried out,

  “Hallelujah!
  The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”

4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” 5 And from the throne came a voice saying,

  “Praise our God,
    all you his servants,
  you who fear him,
    small and great.”

6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

  “Hallelujah!
  For the Lord our God
    the Almighty reigns.
7   Let us rejoice and exult
    and give him the glory,
  for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
    and his Bride has made herself ready;
8   it was granted her to clothe herself
    with fine linen, bright and pure”—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

John 13:31-35

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”