This translation is from the New American Bible. The bolded hyperlinks will take you to additional translations. The entire chapter is included to provide context.
Information about the meaning the original Hebrew or Greek of what seem to be key words is provided in blue. They are provided beneath the specific reading they relate to.
Excerpts collected in yellow at the end of this post tell us something about God’s nature or our relationship to Him.
Excerpts collected in green at the end of this post tell us about something God wants us to do.
Links to collections of other scriptures addressing principles similar to those set out in these readings are provided at the very end of this post
Reading I: Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men, women, and those children old enough to understand. Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate, he read out of the book from daybreak till midday, in the presence of the men, the women,
and those children old enough to understand; and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law.
Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion.
***
He opened the scroll so that all the people might see it— for he was standing higher up than any of the people —; and, as he opened it, all the people rose. Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people, their hands raised high, answered, “Amen, amen!” Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD, their faces to the ground.
***
Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read. Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people: “Today is holy to the LORD your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep”—for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.
He said further: “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!”
understand = בִּין= bîn Blue Letter Bible to discern, understand, consider; to perceive, discern; to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider; to have discernment, insight, understanding; to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding; to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently; look well to, mark
read=קָרָא= qārā' Blue Letter Bibleto call, cry, utter a loud sound;to proclaim; to read aloud, read (to oneself); the idea of accosting a person met; address by name;call, name, give name to; to call upon or to
listened attentively = אֹזֶן= 'ōzen Blue Letter Bible ear, as organ of hearing;to uncover the ear to reveal; open ears of, reveal to; to place in anyone’s ear; to hear with anyone’s ears
opened = פָּתַח= pāṯaḥ Blue Letter Bible to open, to be opened, to open wide; be let loose, be thrown open; to free, to loosen, to break forth, ungird, unstop, have vent; to engrave, plow, carve; to speak, utter words; to open one’s hand
see = עַיִן=ʿayin Blue Letter Bible eye; before my eyes; set one eyes on; spring, fountain
interpreting = פָּרַשׁ= pāraš Blue Letter Bible to make distinct, declare, distinguish, separate; to declare, clarify;to be distinctly declared; scatter; literally (to disperse) or figuratively (to specify); to declare distinctly, to define; to expand, spread out; to pierce, sting, wound
be sad = אָבַל= 'āḇal Blue Letter Bible to mourn, lament; to be languid, to walk with your head cast down
weep = בָּכָה= bāḵâ Blue Letter Bibleto bewail, cry, shed tears; bemoan, complain; make lamentation; penitent weeping; flow by drops
rejoicing = חֶדְוָה = ḥeḏvâ Blue Letter Bible joy, gladness
strength = מָעוֹז= māʿôz Blue Letter Bible place or means of safety, protection, refuge, fastness, harbour, stronghold; a fortified place; figuratively, a defence:—force, fort(-ress), rock; a strong or fortified place
Responsorial Psalm:Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15
R. (cf John 6:63c) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Reading II: 1 Corinthians 12:2-30
Brothers and sisters:
As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Now the body is not a single part, but many. If a foot should say, “Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. Or if an ear should say, “Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body, “it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?
But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.”
Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, whereas our more presentable parts do not need this.
But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.
Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
Cf Luke 4:18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, and to proclaim liberty to captives.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 1:1-4; 4:12-21
Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.
***
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.
He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptableto the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
power = δύναμις = dynamis Blue Letter Bible Ability; force, inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth; moral power and excellence of soul; might; power for performing miracles; R. Trench, New Testament Synonymsoutcomings of that mighty power of God; powers being by Him lent to those who were his witnesses and ambassadors; pointing ... to new and higher forces...which have entered and are working in this lower world of ours
Spirit = πνεῦμα = pneuma Blue Letter BibleBreath, wind; the vital principal by which the body is animated; a simple essence, devoid of all or at least all grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding, and actingthe third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son; never referred to as a depersonalised force; God's power and agency; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexiconblast, wind; breeze or influence; breathed air, breath; breath of life; divine inspiration
Spirit (the Hebrew from Isaiah 61:1) = רוּחַ= rûaḥ Blue Letter Biblewind, breath, mind, spirit; animation, vivacity, vigour; courage; desire; seat or organ of mental acts; seat of moral character; energy and executive and administrative power;energy of life; breath of air in motion; vital principle
teach = διδάσκω = didaskō Blue Letter Bibleto hold discourse with others in order to instruct them; to impart instruction;Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexiconinstruct a person, or teach a thing; explain, show by argument; prove
bring (the Hebrew from Isaiah 61:1) = בָּשַׂר= bāśar Blue Letter Bibleto bear news, bear tidings, publish, preach, show forth;to gladden with good news; to be fresh, i.e. full (rosy, figuratively cheerful); to announce (glad news); herald as glad tidings;
anointed = χρίω = chriō Blue Letter Bibleto smear or rub with oil, i.e. (by implication) to consecrate to an office or religious service;furnishing [] with powers necessary for its administration; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon touch the surface of a body slightly; anoint with scented unguents or oil; token of consecration; wash with colour, coat; smear; wound on the surface, puncture, prick, sting
anointed(the Hebrew from Isaiah 61:1) =מָשַׁח= māšaḥ Blue Letter Bibleto smear, anoint, spread a liquid; to consecrate; paint; stroke, draw the hand over
bring glad tidings = εὐαγγελίζω = euangelizō Blue Letter Bibleto bring, declare, preach, or show good or glad tidings;to bring good news
poor = πτωχός = ptōchos Blue Letter Bible one who crouches and cowers; reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms; destitute of wealth, influence, position, honour;lowly, afflicted, destitute; helpless, powerless to accomplish an end; destitute of wealth of learning and intellectual culture; absolute or public mendicancy; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English LexiconBeggarly
poor (the Hebrew from Isaiah 61:1) = עָנָו=ʿānāv Blue Letter Bible poor, humble, afflicted, meek; lowly; miserable
proclaim = κηρύσσω = kēryssō Blue Letter Bible to be a herald, or, in general, to proclaim, publish;to proclaim after the manner of a herald; always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed; proclaim openly: something which has been done; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon to be a herald, officiate as herald; to be an auctioneer; make proclamation; summon; extoll; call upon, invoke; announce; advertise; invite; declare, tell, crow
proclaim (the Hebrew from Isaiah 61:1) = קָרָא= qārā' Blue Letter Bibleto call, cry, utter a loud sound;to proclaim; to read aloud, read (to oneself); the idea of accosting a person met; address by name;call=name= give name to; to call upon or to
liberty= ἄφεσις = aphesis Blue Letter Bible a release, from bondage, imprisonment, etc.; liberation from captivity; dismissal, release; remission; pardon of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty; forgiveness, pardon, of sins (properly, the letting them go, as if they had not been committed); Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon letting go, release; quittance from; discharge from
liberty ( the Hebrew from Isaiah 61:1) = דְּרוֹר= dᵊrôrBlue Letter Biblea flowing, free run, liberty; spontaneity of outflow; a free or abundant flow; freedom
captives = αἰχμάλωτος = aichmalōtos Blue Letter Bible one taken by the spear; a prisoner of war; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicontaken by the spear, captive, prisoner; prisoner of war
recovery of sight = ἀνάβλεψις = anablepsis Blue Letter Bible restoration of sight; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon looking up, seeing
the blind = τυφλός = typhlos Blue Letter Bible blind; mentally blind; to raise a smoke; hence, properly, ‘darkened by smoke’); Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon blind; lacking vision of the future; dark, dim, obscure, hidden;closed, with no outlet; choked with mud; closed, tight; trackless; without an outlet; unescapable knot
oppressed = θραύω = thrauō Blue Letter Bible to smite through, shatter; them that are bruised, i.e., broken by calamity; to break, break in pieces, shatter, smite through; bruise; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon break in pieces, shatter; have their wings broken; break down, enfeeble
go free = ἀποστέλλω = apostellō Blue Letter Bible to send away, to set at liberty; to send forth; to order (one) to go to a place appointed; to send away, dismiss; to allow one to depart, that he may be in a state of liberty; to order one to depart, send off; to drive away; set apart; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon send off or away from; banish, dispatch
year = ἐνιαυτός = eniautos Blue Letter Bible cycle of time; some fixed definite period of time; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon any long period of time, cycle, period
acceptable = δεκτός = dektos Blue Letter Bible a person or thing who has been regarded favorably; approved; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon to be received or accepted, acceptable; an accepted principle; to be grasped; to be taken, understood
fulfilled = πληρόω = plēroō Blue Letter Bibleto fulfill, to complete, carry out to the full; perfect; complete; to make full, to fill to the full; to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim; to make complete in every particular, to render perfect; to carry through to the end, to accomplish, carry out; bring to realisation, realise; to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram; to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally; to flood; diffuse throughout one's soul; pervade, take possession of; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, make full; gorge, satiate, glut; complete; fulfill
What these readings tell us about God/His ways:
tthe LORD, the great God
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect
refreshing the soul
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy
giving wisdom to the simple
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life
The precepts of the LORD are right
The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life
The fear of the LORD is pure
The ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life
all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons
we were all given to drink of one Spirit
God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended
the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary
those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor
God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body
If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it
if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy
you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, and to proclaim liberty to captives
the certainty of the teachings you have received.
in the power of the Spirit
He taught in their synagogues
was praised by all
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord
this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing
What these readings tell us to do:
listened attentively to the book of the law.
they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD, their faces to the ground
understand what was read
Do not be sad, and do not weep
allot portions to those who had nothing prepared
rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you
those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor
give greater honor to a part that is without it
there may be no division in the body
the parts may have the same concern for one another
If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it
if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy
in an orderly sequence for you
realize the certainty of the teachings you have received
bring glad tidings to the poor
proclaim liberty to captives
looked intently at him
Other scriptures addressing the principles underlying today’s readings are collected at Wisdom Principles—God Loves and Calls Us to Him, In Spite of our Sin and Wisdom Principles: God’s Ways Give Security
