Download Lectionary A - Saint Mary of the Angels Anglican Church

The
Lectionary
Sunday Readings
Year A
As Presented in the Book of Common Prayer 1789 Ratification
and taken from the
Third Millennium Bible
2
First Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 2:1-5
A
nd it shall come to pass in the last days that the
mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established on
the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the
hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people
shall go and say, "Come ye, and let us go up to the
mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob;
and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His
paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word
of the LORD from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among
the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall
beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into
pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore. O house of Jacob,
come ye and let us walk in the light of the LORD.
.
Psalm 122 “Laetatus sum”
I
was glad when they said to me, * We will go into the
house of the Lord
2 Our feet shall stand in thy gates, * O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built as a city * that is at unity with itself;
4 For thither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the LORD,
* to testify unto Israel, to give thanks unto the Name of
the LORD.
5 For there is the seat of judgment, * even the seat of the
house of David.
3
6 O pray for the peace of Jerusalem: * they shall prosper
that love thee.
7 Peace be within your walls * and plenteousness within
thy palaces.
8 For my brethren and companions' sake, * I will wish thee
prosperity.
9 Yea, because of the house of the LORD our God, * I will
seek to do thee good."
Romans 13:8-14
O
no man anything, but to love one another, for he
that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this,
"Thou shalt not commit adultery," "Thou shalt not kill,"
"Thou shalt not steal," "Thou shalt not bear false witness,"
"Thou shalt not covet," and if there be any other
commandment, all are briefly comprehended in this saying,
namely: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Love
worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the
fulfillment of the law. And that, knowing the time, that now
it is high time to awaken out of sleep; for now is our
salvation nearer than when we first believed. The night is
far spent; the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the
works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let
us walk honestly as in the day, not in rioting and
drunkenness, not in lewdness and wantonness, not in strife
and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make
not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof.
WE
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Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 11:1-10
A
nd there shall come forth a Rod out of the stem of
Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. And
the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him--the Spirit of
wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD" and
shall make Him of quick understanding in the fear of the
LORD; and He shall not judge after the sight of His eyes,
neither reprove after the hearing of His ears. But with
righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with
equity for the meek of the earth; and He shall smite the
earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His
lips shall He slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be
the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His
reins. "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the
leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the
young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall
lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young
ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw
like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of
the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the
adder's den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy
mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the
LORD, as the waters cover the sea. "And in that day there
shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand for an ensign of
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the people; to It shall the Gentiles seek, and His rest shall
be glorious."
Psalm 72 “Deus, judicium”
G
ive the King thy justice, O God, * and thy
righteousness unto the King's Son.
2 That he may rule thy people according unto right, * and
defend the poor.
3 That the mountains also shall bring peace, * and the little
hills righteousness unto the people.
4 He shall keep the simple folk by their right; * defend the
children of the poor, and punish the wrong doer.
5 They shall fear thee, as long as the sun and moon
endureth, * from one generation to another.
6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass, *
even as the drops that water the earth.
7 In his time shall the righteous flourish; * yea and
abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
8 His dominion shall be also from the one sea to the other,
* and from the river unto the worlds end.
9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall kneel before him;
* and his enemies shall lick the dust.
10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall give
presents; * and the kings of Arabia and Saba bring gifts.
11 All kings shall fall down before him, * and all the
nations shall do him service.
12 For he shall deliver the poor when he crieth; * the needy
also, and him that hath no helper.
13 He shall be favorable to the simple and needy, * and
shall preserve the souls of the poor.
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14 He shall deliver their souls from falsehood and wrong;
* and dear shall their blood be in his sight.
15 He shall live, and unto him shall be given of the gold
from Arabia; * prayer shall be made ever unto for him ,
and daily shall he be praised.
16 There shall be an heap of corn in the earth, high upon
the hills; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon:
* and they of the city shall flourish like grass upon the
earth.
17 His Name shall endure for ever; his Name shall remain
under the sun among the posterities, which shall be
blessed in him; * and all the nations shall praise him.
18 Blessed be the Lord GOD, even the God of Israel,
* which only does wondrous things;
19 And blessed be the Name of his majesty for ever!
* and all the earth shall be filled with his majesty. Amen,
Amen.
Romans 15:4-13
F
or whatsoever things were written in times past, were
written for our learning, that we through patience and
comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now the God of
patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one
toward another, according to Christ Jesus, that ye may with
one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive ye one another as
Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Now I say, that
Jesus Christ was a minister of the Circumcision for the
truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the
fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His
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mercy; as it is written: "For this cause I will confess to
Thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto Thy name." And
again he saith, "Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with His people." And
again, "Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles, and laud Him, all
ye people." And again Isaiah saith, "There shall be a Root
of Jesse, and He that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in
Him shall the Gentiles trust." Now may the God of hope fill
you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound
in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 35:1-10
T
he wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for
them; and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the
rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy
and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it,
the excellency of Carmel and Sharon; they shall see the
glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.
Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble
knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, "Be strong,
fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance, even
God with a recompense; He will come and save you." Then
the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the
deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a
hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing; for in the wilderness
shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the
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parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land
springs of water; in the habitation of dragons, where each
lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And a highway
shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the Way of
Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be
for those; the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err
therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall
go up thereon; it shall not be found there, but the redeemed
shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall
return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy
upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and
sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Psalm 146 “Lauda, anima mea”
P
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3
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6
7
raise the Lord, O my soul: while I live, will I praise the
Lord; * yea, as long as I have any being, I will sing
praises unto my God.
O put not your trust in princes, nor in any child of man;
* For there is no help in them.
For when the breath of man goeth forth, he shall turn
again to his earth, * and then all this thoughts perish.
Blessed is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help,
* and whose hope is in the Lord his God:
Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein
is; * who keepeth his promis for ever;
Who helpeth them to right that suffer wrong; * who
feedeth the hungry.
The Lord loseth men out of prison; * the Lord giveth
sight to the blind.
9
8 The Lord helpeth them that are fallen; * the Lord careth
for the righteous.
9 The Lord careth for the strangers; he defendeth the
fatherless and widow: * as for the way of the ungodly,
he turneth it upside down.
10The Lord thy God, O Zion, shall be King for evermore,
* and throughout all generations.
James 5:7-10
B
e patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the
Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the
precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it,
until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient;
make firm your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draweth
nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be
condemned. Behold, the Judge standeth before the door!
My brethren, take the prophets, who have spoken in the
name of the Lord, as an example of suffering affliction and
of patience
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 7:10-17
M
oreover the LORD spoke again unto Ahaz, saying,
"Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either
in the depth or in the height above." But Ahaz said, "I will
10
not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD." And Isaiah said,
"Hear ye now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you
to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore
the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin
shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name
Immanuel. Butter and honey shall He eat, that He may
know to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the
Child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the
land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.
The LORD shall bring upon thee and upon thy people and
upon thy father's house days that have not come since the
day that Ephraim departed from Judah: even the king of
Assyria."
Psalm 24 “Domini est terra”
he earth is the Lord’s, and all that therein is; * the
compass of the world, and they that dwell therein.
For he hath founded it upon the seas, * and stablished it
upon the floods.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? * or who
shall rise up in his holy place?
Even he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; * and
that hath not lift up his mind unto vanity, nor sworn to
deceive his neighbor.
He shall receive the blessing form the Lord, * and
righteousness form the God of his salvation.
This is the generation of them that seek him; * even of
them that seek thy face, O God of Jacob.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye
everlasting doors; * and the King of glory shall come in.
T
2
3
4
5
6
7
11
8 Who is this King of glory? * the Lord careth for the
righteous.
9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye
everlasting doors; * and the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? * Even the Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory.
Romans 1:1-7
P
aul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle
and separated unto the Gospel of God, which He had
promised before by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,
concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was made
of the seed of David according to the flesh, and was
declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the
Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead, by
whom we have received grace and apostleship for
obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
among whom ye also are the called of Jesus Christ. To all
who are in Rome, beloved of God and called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ.
12
Christmas Day I
(January 25)
Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7
T
he people that walked in darkness have seen a great
light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of
death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast
multiplied the nation and not increased the joy; they joy
before Thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men
rejoice when they divide the spoil. For Thou hast broken
the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod
of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For unto us a
Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government
shall be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called
Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His
government and peace there shall be no end, upon the
throne of David and upon His Kingdom, to order it and to
establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth
even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform
this.
Psalm 96 “Cantate Domino”
O
SING unto the LORD a new song; * sing unto the
LORD, all the whole earth.
2 Sing unto the LORD, and praise his Name; * be telling of
his salvation from day to day.
13
3 Declare his honour unto the heathen, * and his wonders
unto all peoples.
4 For the LORD is great, and cannot worthily be praised;*
he is more to be feared than all gods.
5 As for all the gods of the heathen, they are but idols; *
but it is the LORD that made the heavens.
6 Glory and worship are before him; * power and honour
are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the peoples, *
ascribe unto the LORD worship and power.
8 Ascribe unto the LORD the honour due unto his Name; *
bring presents, and come into his courts.
9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; * let the
whole earth stand in awe of him.
10 Tell it out among the heathen, that the LORD is King,
and that it is he who hath made the round world so fast
that it cannot be moved; * and how that he shall judge
the peoples righteously.
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; * let
the sea make a noise, and all that therein is.
12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it; * then shall
all the trees of the wood rejoice before the LORD.
13 For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth; * and
with righteousness to judge the world, and the peoples
with his truth.
Titus 2:11-14
F
or the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath
appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
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righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for
that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great
God and our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us,
that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto
Himself a peculiar people, zealous for good works.
Christmas Day II
(January 25)
Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12
F
or the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath
appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for
that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great
God and our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us,
that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto
Himself a peculiar people, zealous for good works.
Psalm 97 “Dominus regnavit”
T
HE LORD is King, the earth may be glad thereof; *
yea, the multitude of the isles may be glad thereof.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: *
righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his
seat.
15
3 There shall go a fire before him, * and burn up his
enemies on every side.
4 His lightnings gave shine unto the world: * the earth
saw it, and was afraid.
5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD;
* at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens have declared his righteousness, * and all
the peoples have seen his glory.
7 Confounded be all they that worship carved images,
and that delight in vain gods: * worship him, all ye
gods.
8 Sion heard of it, and rejoiced; and the daughters of
Judah were glad, * because of thy judgments, O
LORD.
9 For thou, LORD, art higher than all that are in the
earth: * thou art exalted far above all gods.
10 O ye that love the LORD, see that ye hate the thing
which is evil: * the Lord preserveth the souls of his
saints; he shall deliver them from the hand of the
ungodly.
11 There is sprung up a light for the righteous, * and
joyful gladness for such as are true-hearted.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; * and give thanks
for a remembrance of his holiness.
Titus 3:4-7
F
or the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath
appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for
16
that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great
God and our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us,
that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto
Himself a peculiar people, zealous for good works.
Christmas Day III
(January 25)
Isaiah 52:7-10
H
ow beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him
that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that
bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation;
that saith unto Zion, "Thy God reigneth!" Thy watchmen
shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they
sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall
bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye
waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted
His people, He hath redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD hath
made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and
all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Psalm 98 “Cantate Domino”
O
sing unto the LORD a new song; * for he hath done
marvellous things.
2 With his own right hand, and with his holy arm, * hath he
gotten himself the victory.
17
3 The LORD declared his salvation; * his righteousness
hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen.
4 He hath remembered his mercy and truth toward the
house of Israel; * and all the ends of the world have seen
the salvation of our God.
5 Show yourselves joyful unto the LORD, all ye lands; *
sing, rejoice, and give thanks.
6 Praise the LORD upon the harp; * sing to the harp with a
psalm of thanksgiving.
7 With trumpets also and shawms, * O show yourselves
joyful before the LORD, the King.
8 Let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is; * the
round world, and they that dwell therein.
9 Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful
together before the LORD; * for he is come to judge the
earth.
10 With righteousness shall he judge the world, * and the
peoples with equity.
Hebrews 1:1-12
H
ow beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him
that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that
bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation;
that saith unto Zion, "Thy God reigneth!" Thy watchmen
shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they
sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall
bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye
waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted
His people, He hath redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD hath
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made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and
all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
First Sunday after Christmas
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
I
will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall be
joyful in my God. For He hath clothed me with the
garments of salvation; He hath covered me with the robe of
righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with
ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden
causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the
Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring
forth before all the nations. For Zion's sake will I not hold
my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the
righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the
salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles
shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory; and
thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the
LORD shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in
the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of
thy God.
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Psalm 147 “Laudate Dominum”
O
Praise the Lord, for it is a good thing to sing praised
unto our God; * yea, a joyful and pleasant thing it is
to be thankful.
2 The Lord doth build up Jerusalem, * and gather together
the outcasts of Israel.
3 He healeth those that are broken in heart, * and giveth
medicine to heal their sickness.
4 He telleth the number of the stars, * and calleth them all
by their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and great is his power; * yea, and his
wisdom is infinite.
6 The Lord setteth up the meek, * and bringeth the
ungodly down to the ground.
7 O sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; * sing praised
upon the harp unto our God:
8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, and prepareth rain
for the earth; * and maketh the grass to grow upon the
mountains, and herb for the use of men;
9 Who giveth fodder unto the cattle, * and feedeth the
young ravens that call upon him.
10 He hath no pleasure in the strength of an horse; *
neither delighteth he in any man’s legs.
11 But the Lord’s delight is in them that fear him, * and
put their trust in his mercy.
12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; * praise thy God, O
Zion.
13 For he hath made fast the bars of thy gates, * and hath
blessed thy children within thee.
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14 He maketh peace in thy bourders, * and filleth thee
with the flour of wheat.
15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth, * and
his word runneth very swiftly.
16 He giveth snow like wool, * and scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.
17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels; * who is able to
abide his frost?
18 He sendeth out his word, and meltheth them: * he
bloweth with his wind, and the waters flow.
19 He showeth his word unto Jacob, * his statutes and
ordinances unto Israel.
20 He hath not dealt so with any nation; * neither have
the heathen knowledge of his laws.
Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7
B
ut before faith came, we were kept under the law,
being shut apart from the faith which should
afterwards be revealed. Therefore the law was our
schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be
justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer
under a schoolmaster. But when the fullness of the time had
come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made
under the law, to redeem those who were under the law,
that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye
are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your
hearts, crying, "Abba, Father." Therefore thou art no more
a servant but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God
through Christ.
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Holy Name of Jesus
(January 1)
Exodus 34:1-8
A
nd the LORD said unto Moses, "Hew thee two tablets
of stone like unto the first, and I will write upon these
tablets the words that were in the first tablets which thou
brokest. And be ready in the morning, and come up in the
morning unto Mount Sinai, and present thyself there to Me
on the top of the mount. And no man shall come up with
thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount;
neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount."
And he hewed two tablets of stone like unto the first; and
Moses rose up early in the morning and went up unto
Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took
in his hand the two tablets of stone. And the LORD
descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and
proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed
by before him, and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD
God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in
goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving
iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no
means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers
upon the children, and upon the children's children unto the
third and to the fourth generation." And Moses made haste,
and bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.
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Psalm 8 “Cantate Domino”
O
LORD our Governor, how excellent is thy Name in
all the world; * thou that hast set thy glory above the
heavens!
2 Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings hast thou
ordained strength, because of thine enemies, * that thou
mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider thy heavens, even the work of thy
fingers; * the moon and the stars which thou hast
ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? * and the son
of man, that thou visitest him?
5 Thou madest him lower than the angels, * to crown him
with glory and worship.
6 Thou makest him to have dominion of the works of thy
hands; * and thou hast put all things in subjection under
his feet:
7 All sheep and oxen; * yea, and the beasts of the field;
8 The fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea; * and
whatsoever walketh through the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD our Governor, * how excellent is thy Name in
all the world!
Romans 1:1-7
P
aul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle
and separated unto the Gospel of God, which He had
promised before by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,
concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was made
of the seed of David according to the flesh, and was
23
declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the
Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead, by
whom we have received grace and apostleship for
obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
among whom ye also are the called of Jesus Christ. To all
who are in Rome, beloved of God and called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ.
or
Philippians 2:9-13
T
herefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given
Him a name which is above every name, that at the
name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in Heaven
and things on earth and things under the earth, and that
every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to
the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as ye
have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now
much more in my absence, work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling. For it is God who worketh in you,
both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
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Second Sunday after Christmas
Jeremiah 31:7-14
F
or thus saith the LORD: "Sing with gladness for Jacob,
and shout among the chief of the nations; proclaim ye,
praise ye, and say, `O LORD, save Thy people, the remnant
of Israel.' Behold, I will bring them from the north country,
and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them
the blind and the lame, the woman with child, and her that
travaileth with child together; a great company shall return
thither. They shall come with weeping, and with
supplications will I lead them; I will cause them to walk by
the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not
stumble; for I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My
firstborn. "Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and
declare it in the isles afar off, and say, `He that scattered
Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd doth his
flock.' For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed
him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.
Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion,
and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD--for
wheat and for wine and for oil, and for the young of the
flock and of the herd; and their soul shall be as a watered
garden, and they shall not sorrow any more at all. Then
shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and
old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and
will comfort them and make them rejoice from their
sorrow. And I will satiate the soul of the priests with
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fatness, and My people shall be satisfied with My
goodness," saith the LORD.
Psalm 84 “Quam dilecta”
O
how amiable are thy dwellings, * thou LORD of
hosts!
2 My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts
of the LORD; * my heart and my flesh rejoice in the
living God.
3 Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house, and the
swallow a nest, where she may lay her young; * even thy
altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house; * they will be
alway praising thee.
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; * in whose
heart are thy ways.
6 Who going through the vale of misery use it for a well; *
and the pools are filled with water.
7 They will go from strength to strength, * and unto the
God of gods appeareth every one of them in Sion.
8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; * hearken, O God
of Jacob.
9 Behold, O God our defender, * and look upon the face of
thine anointed.
10 For one day in thy courts * is better than a thousand.
11 I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, *
than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness.
12 For the LORD God is a light and defence; * the LORD
will give grace and worship; and no good thing shall he
withhold from them that live a godly life.
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13 O LORD God of hosts, * blessed is the man that putteth
his trust in thee.
Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-19a
B
lessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in
heavenly places in Christ, even as He hath chosen us in
Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be
holy and without blame before Him in love, having
predestined us to be His own adopted children by Jesus
Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the
praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us
accepted in His Beloved: Therefore I also, after I heard of
your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in
my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom
and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your
understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is
the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory
of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding
greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to
the working of His mighty power,
27
The Epiphany
(January 6)
Isaiah 60:1-6, 9
A
rise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the
LORD is risen upon thee. For behold, the darkness
shall cover the earth and gross darkness the people; but the
LORD shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen
upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and
kings to the brightness of thy rising. "Lift up thine eyes
round about and see; all they gather themselves together,
they come to thee; thy sons shall come from far, and thy
daughters shall be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt see
and flow together, and thine heart shall fear and be
enlarged, because the abundance of the sea shall be
converted unto thee, the wealth of the Gentiles shall come
unto thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the
dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba
shall come; they shall bring gold and incense, and they
shall show forth the praises of the LORD. Surely the isles
shall wait for Me--and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring
thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them,
unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One
of Israel, because He hath glorified thee.
Psalm 72 “Deus, judicium”
G
IVE the King thy judgments, O God, * and thy
righteousness unto the King's son.
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2 Then shall he judge thy people according unto right, *
and defend the poor.
3 The mountains also shall bring peace, * and the little hills
righteousness unto the people.
4 He shall keep the simple folk by their right, * defend the
children of the poor, and punish the wrong doer.
5 They shall fear thee, as long as the sun and moon
endureth, * from one generation to another.
6 He shall come down like the rain upon the mown grass, *
even as the drops that water the earth.
7 In his time shall the righteous flourish; * yea, and
abundance of peace, so long as the moon endureth.
8 His dominion shall be also from the one sea to the other,
* and from the River unto the world's end.
9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall kneel before him;
* his enemies shall lick the dust.
10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall give
presents; * the kings of Arabia and Saba shall bring gifts.
11 All kings shall fall down before him; * all nations shall
do him service.
12 For he shall deliver the poor when he crieth; * the needy
also, and him that hath no helper.
13 He shall be favourable to the simple and needy, * and
shall preserve the souls of the poor.
14 He shall deliver their souls from falsehood and wrong; *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.
15 He shall live, and unto him shall be given of the gold of
Arabia; * prayer shall be made ever unto him, and daily
shall he be praised.
16 There shall be an heap of corn in the earth, high upon
the hills ; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: *
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and they of the city shall flourish like grass upon the
earth.
17 His Name shall endure for ever; his Name shall remain
under the sun among the posterities, which shall be
blessed in him; * and all the nations shall praise him.
18 Blessed be the LORD God, even the God of Israel, *
which only doeth wondrous things;
19 And blessed be the Name of his majesty for ever: * and
all the earth shall be filled with his majesty. Amen,
Amen.
Ephesians 3:1-12
F
or this cause I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for
you Gentiles-- if ye have heard of the dispensation of
the grace of God which is given me toward you, how by
revelation He made known unto me the mystery (as I wrote
before in a few words, whereby when ye read this, ye may
understand my knowledge of the mystery of Christ), which
in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as
it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by
the Spirit: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of
the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by
the Gospel, for which I was made a minister according to
the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual
working of His power. Unto me, who am less than the least
of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among
the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make
all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which
from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who
created all things by Jesus Christ, with the intent that now
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unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might
be known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,
according to the eternal purpose which He hath purposed in
Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and
access with confidence by the faith of Him.
First Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 42:1-9
"Behold My Servant, whom I uphold, Mine Elect, in whom
My soul delighteth: I have put My Spirit upon Him; He
shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry,
nor lift up, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A
bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall
He not quench; He shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He hath set
judgment in the earth; and the isles shall wait for His law."
Thus saith God the LORD--He that created the heavens and
stretched them out, He that spread forth the earth and that
which cometh out of it, He that giveth breath unto the
people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: "I, the
LORD, have called Thee in righteousness, and will hold
Thine hand, and will keep Thee, and give Thee for a
covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open
the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison,
and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am
the LORD; that is My name. And My glory will I not give
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to another, neither My praise to graven images. "Behold,
the former things are come to pass, and new things do I
declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them."
Psalm 89:1-30 “Misericordias Domini”
M
Y song shall be alway of the loving-kindness of the
LORD; * with my mouth will I ever be showing thy
truth from one generation to another.
2 For I have said, Mercy shall be set up for ever; * thy truth
shalt thou stablish in the heavens.
3 I have made a covenant with my chosen; * I have sworn
unto David my servant:
4 Thy seed will I stablish for ever, * and set up thy throne
from one generation to another.
5 O LORD, the very heavens shall praise thy wondrous
works; * and thy truth in the congregation of the saints.
6 For who is he among the clouds, * that shall be compared
unto the LORD?
7 And what is he among the gods, * that shall be like unto
the LORD?
8 God is very greatly to be feared in the council of the
saints, * and to be had in reverence of all them that are
round about him.
9 O Lord God of hosts, who is like unto thee? * thy truth,
most mighty LORD, is on every side.
10 Thou rulest the raging of the sea; * thou stillest the
waves thereof when they arise.
11 Thou hast subdued Egypt, and destroyed it; * thou hast
scattered thine enemies abroad with thy mighty arm.
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12 The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine; * thou hast
laid the foundation of the round world, and all that
therein is.
13 Thou hast made the north and the south; * Tabor and
Hermon shall rejoice in thy Name.
14 Thou hast a mighty arm; * strong is thy hand, and high
is thy right hand.
15 Righteousness and equity are the habitation of thy seat;
* mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
16 Blessed is the people, O LORD, that can rejoice in thee;
* they shall walk in the light of thy countenance.
17 Their delight shall be daily in thy Name; * and in thy
righteousness shall they make their boast.
18 For thou art the glory of their strength, * and in thy
loving-kindness thou shalt lift up our horns.
19 For the LORD is our defence; * the Holy One of Israel
is our King.
20 Thou spakest sometime in visions unto thy saints, and
saidst, * I have laid help upon one that is mighty, I have
exalted one chosen out of the people.
21 I have found David my servant; * with my holy oil have
I anointed him.
22 My hand shall hold him fast, * and my arm shall
strengthen him.
23 The enemy shall not be able to do him violence; * the
son of wickedness shall not hurt him.
24 I will smite down his foes before his face, * and plague
them that hate him.
25 My truth also and my mercy shall be with him; * and in
my Name shall his horn be exalted.
33
26 I will set his dominion also in the sea, * and his right
hand in the floods.
27 He shall call me, Thou art my Father, * my God, and my
strong salvation.
28 And I will make him my firstborn, * higher than the
kings of the earth.
29 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, * and my
covenant shall stand fast with him.
30 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, * and his
throne as the days of heaven.
Acts 10:34-38
T
hen Peter opened his mouth and said, "In truth I
perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but in
every nation he that feareth Him and worketh righteousness
is accepted by Him. The Word which God sent unto the
children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ (He is
Lord of all) -- that Word, I say, ye know, which was
proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee
after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed
Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, and
how He went about doing good and healing all who were
oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
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Second Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 49:1-7
"Listen, O isles, unto Me, and hearken, ye people from
afar! The LORD hath called Me from the womb; from the
bowels of My mother hath He made mention of My name.
And He hath made My mouth like a sharp sword; in the
shadow of His hand hath He hid Me, and made Me a
polished shaft. In His quiver hath He hid Me, and said unto
Me, `Thou art My servant, O Israel, in whom I will be
glorified.' Then I said, `I have labored in vain; I have spent
My strength for nought and in vain; yet surely My
judgment is with the LORD, and My work with My God.'"
"And now saith the LORD that formed Me from the womb
to be His servant, to bring Jacob again to Him, though
Israel be not gathered--yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of
the LORD, and My God shall be My strength" and He said:
`It is a light thing that Thou shouldest be My servant to
raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of
Israel. I will also give Thee for a light to the Gentiles, that
Thou mayest be My salvation unto the end of the earth.'"
Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and His Holy
One, to Him whom man despiseth, to Him whom the nation
abhorreth, to a Servant of rulers: "Kings shall see and arise,
princes also shall worship, because of the LORD who is
faithful, and the Holy One of Israel; and He shall choose
Thee."
35
Psalm 40:1-11 “Expectans expectavi”
I
WAITED patiently for the LORD, * and he inclined
unto me, and heard my calling.
2 He brought me also out of the horrible pit, out of the mire
and clay, * and set my feet upon the rock, and ordered
my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, * even a
thanksgiving unto our God.
4 Many shall see it, and fear, * and shall put their trust in
the LORD.
5 Blessed is the man that hath set his hope in the LORD,
* and turned not unto the proud, and to such as go about
with lies.
6 O LORD my God, great are the wondrous works which
thou hast done, like as be also thy thoughts, which are to
us-ward; * and yet there is no man that ordereth them
unto thee.
7 If I should declare them, and speak of them, * they should
be more than I am able to express.
8 Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, * but mine ears
hast thou opened.
9 Burnt-offering and sacrifice for sin hast thou not
required: * then said I, Lo, I come;
10 In the volume of the book it is written of me, that I
should fulfill thy will, O my God: * I am content to do it;
yea, thy law is within my heart.
11 I have declared thy righteousness in the great
congregation: * lo, I will not refrain my lips, O LORD,
and that thou knowest.
36
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
P
aul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the
will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the
church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are
sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who
in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,
both theirs and ours: Grace be unto you and peace from
God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my
God always on your behalf for the grace of God which is
given you by Jesus Christ; that in every thing ye are
enriched by Him, in all utterance and in all knowledge,
even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so
that ye fall behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ. He shall also confirm you unto the end,
that ye may be blameless in the Day of our Lord Jesus
Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the
fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Third Sunday after Epiphany
Amos 3:1-8
H
ear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you,
O children of Israel, against the whole family which I
brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, "You only have
I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will
punish you for all your iniquities." Can two walk together,
37
unless they be agreed? Will a lion roar in the forest when
he hath no prey? Will a young lion cry out of his den, if he
have taken nothing? Can a bird fall in a snare upon the
earth where no trap is for him? Shall one take up a snare
from the earth, and have taken nothing at all? Shall a
trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid?
Shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done
it? Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, unless He
revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets. The
lion hath roared! Who will not fear? The Lord GOD hath
spoken! Who can but prophesy?
Psalm 139:1-7 “Domine, probasti”
O
LORD, thou hast searched me out, and known me. *
Thou knowest my down-sitting, and mine uprising;
thou understandest my thoughts long before.
2 Thou art about my path, and about my bed; * and art
acquainted with all my ways.
3 For lo, there is not a word in my tongue, * but thou, O
LORD, knowest it altogether.
4 Thou hast beset me behind and before, * and laid thine
hand upon me.
5 Such knowledge is too wonderful and excellent for me; *
I cannot attain unto it.
6 Whither shall I go then from thy Spirit? * or whither shall
I go then from thy presence?
7 If I climb up into heaven, thou art there; * if I go down to
hell, thou art there also with him.
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1 Corinthians 1:10-17
N
ow I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that
there be no divisions among you, but that ye be perfectly
joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
For it hath been reported unto me about you, my brethren,
by those who are of the house of Chloe, that there are
contentions among you. Now this I say, when every one of
you saith, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of
Cephas," and "I of Christ": Is Christ divided? Was Paul
crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
I thank God that I baptized none of you but Crispus and
Gaius, lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own
name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas.
Besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For
Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel, and
not with the wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ
should be made of no effect.
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Micah 6:1-8
H
ear ye now what the LORD saith: "Arise, contend
thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy
voice. Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD'S controversy, and
ye strong foundations of the earth; for the LORD hath a
39
controversy with His people, and He will plead with Israel.
O My people, what have I done unto thee? And wherein
have I wearied thee? Testify against Me! For I brought thee
up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the
house of servitude; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron,
and Miriam. O My people, remember now what Balak king
of Moab counseled, and what Balaam the son of Beor
answered him, from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know
the righteousness of the LORD." With what shall I come
before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God?
Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves
of a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of
rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my
firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the
sin of my soul? He hath shown thee, O man, what is good:
and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and
to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Psalm 37:1-17 “Dixit injustus”
F
RET not thyself because of the ungodly; * neither be
thou envious against the evil doers.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, * and be
withered even as the green herb.
3 Put thou thy trust in the LORD, and be doing good; *
dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thou in the LORD, * and he shall give thee thy
heart's desire.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD, and put thy trust in
him, * and he shall bring it to pass.
40
6 He shall make thy righteousness as clear as the light, *
and thy just dealing as the noon-day.
7 Hold thee still in the LORD, and abide patiently upon
him: * but grieve not thyself at him whose way doth
prosper, against the man that doeth after evil counsels.
8 Leave off from wrath, and let go displeasure: * fret not
thyself, else shalt thou be moved to do evil.
9 Wicked doers shall be rooted out; * and they that
patiently abide the LORD, those shall inherit the land.
10 Yet a little while, and the ungodly shall be clean gone: *
thou shalt look after his place, and he shall be away.
11 But the meek-spirited shall possess the earth, * and shall
be refreshed in the multitude of peace.
12 The ungodly seeketh counsel against the just, * and
gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The Lord shall laugh him to-scorn; * for he hath seen
that his day is coming.
14 The ungodly have drawn out the sword, and have bent
their bow, * to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay
such as be upright in their ways.
15 Their sword shall go through their own heart, * and their
bow shall be broken.
16 A small thing that the righteous hath, * is better than
great riches of the ungodly.
17 For the arms of the ungodly shall be broken, * and the
LORD upholdeth the righteous.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
F
or the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those
who perish; but unto us who are saved, it is the power
41
of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the
wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the
prudent." Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is
the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the
wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the
world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the
foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. For the
Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; but
we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling
block, and unto the Greeks foolishness, but unto those who
are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God
and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser
than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For ye see in your calling, brethren, how not many wise
men according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many
noble, are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of
the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the
weak things of the world to confound the things which are
mighty; and base things of the world and things which are
despised hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to
bring to nought things which are, that no flesh should glory
in His presence. But because of Him are ye in Christ Jesus,
who from God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness,
and sanctification and redemption, that according as it is
written: "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."
\
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Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Habakkuk 3:2-6, 17-19
O
LORD, I have heard Thy speech and was afraid; O
LORD, revive Thy work in the midst of the years. In
the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember
mercy. God came from Teman, and the Holy One from
Mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the
earth was full of His praise. And His brightness was as the
light; He had horns coming out of His hand, and there was
the hiding of His power. Before Him went the pestilence,
and burning coals went forth at His feet. He stood and
measured the earth; He beheld and drove asunder the
nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the
perpetual hills did bow. His ways are everlasting. Although
the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the
vines, the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall
yield no meat, the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and
there shall be no herd in the stalls-- yet I will rejoice in the
LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD
God is my strength; and He will make my feet like hinds'
feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.
To the chief singer on my stringed instruments
Psalms 27 “Dominus illuminatio”
T
he lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall
I fear? * the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom
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then shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came
upon me to eat up my flesh, * they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host of men were laid against me, yet shall not
my heart be afraid; * and though there rose up war
against me, yet will I put my trust in him.
4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, which I will
require; * even that I may dwell in the house of the
LORD all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty
of the LORD, and to visit his temple.
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his
tabernacle; * yea, in the secret place of his dwelling shall
he hide me, and set me up upon a rock of stone.
6 And now shall he lift up mine head * above mine enemies
round about me.
7 Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation, with
great gladness: * I will sing and speak praises unto the
LORD.
8 Hearken unto my voice, O LORD, when I cry unto thee;
* have mercy upon me, and hear me.
9 My heart hath talked of thee, Seek ye my face: * Thy
face, LORD, will I seek.
10 O hide not thou thy face from me, * nor cast thy servant
away in displeasure.
11 Thou hast been my succour; * leave me not, neither
forsake me, O God of my salvation.
12 When my father and my mother forsake me, * the
LORD taketh me up.
13 Teach me thy way, O LORD, * and lead me in the right
way, because of mine enemies.
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14 Deliver me not over into the will of mine adversaries: *
for there are false witnesses risen up against me, and
such as speak wrong.
15 I should utterly have fainted, * but that I believe verily
to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the
living.
16 O tarry thou the LORD'S leisure; * be strong, and he
shall comfort thine heart; and put thou thy trust in the
LORD.
1 Corinthians 2:1-11
A
nd I, brethren, when I came to you declaring unto you
the testimony of God, came not with excellency of
speech or of wisdom. For I determined not to know
anything among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much
trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with
enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of
the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not stand on
the wisdom of man, but on the power of God. However, we
speak wisdom among those who are perfect, yet not the
wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, who
are coming to nought. But we speak the wisdom of God in
a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained
before the world for our glory -- wisdom which none of the
princes of this world knew; for had they known it, they
would not have crucified the Lord of Glory. But as it is
written: "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man the things which God hath
prepared for them that love Him." But God hath revealed
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them unto us by His Spirit. For the Spirit searcheth all
things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth
the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?
Even so no man knoweth the things of God, but the Spirit
of God.
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Ecclesiasticus 15:11-20
S
ay not thou, "It is through the Lord that I fell away"; for
thou oughtest not to do the things that He hateth. Say
not thou, "He hath caused me to err"; for He hath no need
of the sinful man. The Lord hateth all abomination, and
they that fear God love it not. He Himself made man from
the beginning, and left him in the hand of his counsel, if
thou wilt keep the commandments, and perform acceptable
faithfulness. He hath set fire and water before thee: stretch
forth thy hand unto whichever thou wilt. Before man is life
and death; and whichever he liketh shall be given him. For
the wisdom of the Lord is great, and He is mighty in power
and beholdeth all things; and His eyes are upon them that
fear Him, and He knoweth every work of man. He hath
commanded no man to do wickedly, neither hath He given
any man license to sin.
46
Psalm 119:1-16 Beati immaculati.
B
LESSED are those that are undefiled in the way, * and
walk in the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, * and seek him
with their whole heart;
3 Even they who do no wickedness, * and walk in his ways.
4 Thou hast charged * that we shall diligently keep thy
commandments.
5 O that my ways were made so direct, * that I might keep
thy statutes!
6 So shall I not be confounded, * while I have respect unto
all thy commandments.
7 I will thank thee with an unfeigned heart, * when I shall
have learned the judgments of thy righteousness.
8 I will keep thy statutes; * O forsake me not utterly.
9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? * even
by ruling himself after thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee; * O let me not
go wrong out of thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid within my heart, * that I should not
sin against thee.
12 Blessed art thou, O LORD; * O teach me thy statutes.
13 With my lips have I been telling * of all the judgments
of thy mouth.
14 I have had as great delight in the way of thy testimonies,
* as in all manner of riches.
15 I will talk of thy commandments, * and have respect
unto thy ways.
16 My delight shall be in thy statutes, * and I will not
forget thy word.
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1 Corinthians 3:1-9
A
nd I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto
spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in
Christ. I have fed you with milk and not with meat; for
hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye
able, for ye are yet carnal. For if there is among you
envying and strife and divisions, are ye not carnal and walk
as men? For while one saith, "I am of Paul," and another, "I
am of Apollos," are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and
who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye came to believe,
even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted,
Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then,
neither is he that planteth anything, nor he that watereth,
but God who giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and
he that watereth are one, and every man shall receive his
own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers
together with God; ye are God's husbandry; ye are God's
building.
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
A
nd the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, "Speak unto
all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say
unto them: `Ye shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am
holy. "`And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou
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shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt
thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not
glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of
thy vineyard. Thou shalt leave them for the poor and
stranger: I am the LORD your God. "`Ye shall not steal,
neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. And ye shall
not swear by My name falsely; neither shalt thou profane
the name of thy God: I am the LORD. "`Thou shalt not
defraud thy neighbor, neither rob him. The wages of him
that is hired shall not remain with thee all night until the
morning. Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling
block before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the
LORD. "`Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment.
Thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the
person of the mighty, but in righteousness shalt thou judge
thy neighbor. "`Thou shalt not go up and down as a
talebearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand
against the blood of thy neighbor: I am the LORD. "`Thou
shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart. Thou shalt in any
wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not let sin come upon him.
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the
children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself: I am the LORD.
Psalm 71 “In te, Domine, speravi”
I
N thee, O LORD, have I put my trust; let me never be
put to confusion, * but rid me and deliver me in thy
righteousness; incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
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2 Be thou my stronghold, whereunto I may alway resort: *
thou hast promised to help me, for thou art my house of
defence, and my castle.
3 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the ungodly, *
out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
4 For thou, O Lord GOD, art the thing that I long for: *
thou art my hope, even from my youth.
5 Through thee have I been holden up ever since I was
born: * thou art he that took me out of my mother's
womb: my praise shall be alway of thee.
6 I am become as it were a monster unto many, * but my
sure trust is in thee.
7 O let my mouth be filled with thy praise, * that I may
sing of thy glory and honour all the day long.
8 Cast me not away in the time of age; * forsake me not
when my strength faileth me.
9 For mine enemies speak against me; * and they that lay
wait for my soul take their counsel together, saying,
10 God hath forsaken him; * persecute him, and take him,
for there is none to deliver him.
11 Go not far from me, O God; * my God, haste thee to
help me.
12 Let them be confounded and perish that are against my
soul; * let them be covered with shame and dishonour
that seek to do me evil.
13 As for me, I will patiently abide alway, * and will praise
thee more and more.
14 My mouth shall daily speak of thy righteousness and
salvation; * for I know no end thereof.
15 I will go forth in the strength of the Lord GOD, * and
will make mention of thy righteousness only.
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16 Thou, O God, hast taught me from my youth up until
now; * therefore will I tell of thy wondrous works.
17 Forsake me not, O God, in mine old age, when I am
gray-headed, * until I have showed thy strength unto this
generation, and thy power to all them that are yet for to
come.
18 Thy righteousness, O God, is very high, * and great
things are they that thou hast done: O God, who is like
unto thee!
19 O what great troubles and adversities hast thou showed
me ! and yet didst thou turn and refresh me; * yea, and
broughtest me from the deep of the earth again.
20 Thou hast brought me to great honour, * and comforted
me on every side:
21 Therefore will I praise thee, and thy faithfulness, O God,
playing upon an instrument of music: * unto thee will I
sing upon the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
22 My lips will be glad when I sing unto thee; * and so will
my soul whom thou hast delivered.
23 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the
day long; * for they are confounded and brought unto
shame that seek to do me evil.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23
A
ccording to the grace of God which is given unto me,
as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation,
and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed
how he buildeth thereupon. For no man can lay another
foundation than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the
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Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple
of God, him shall God destroy. For the temple of God is
holy, and ye are that temple. Let no man deceive himself. If
any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let
him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of
this world is foolishness with God. For it is written: "He
taketh the wise in their own craftiness"; and again, "The
Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain."
Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours,
whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or
death, or things present or things to come -- all are yours,
and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
Eighth Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 49:8-18
T
hus saith the LORD: "In an acceptable time have I
heard Thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped
Thee; and I will preserve Thee and give Thee for a
covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to
inherit the desolate heritages, that Thou mayest say to the
prisoners, `Go forth,' to them that are in darkness, `Show
yourselves.' "They shall feed on the paths, and their
pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger
nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor sun smite them; for He
that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the
springs of water shall He guide them. And I will make all
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My mountains a way, and My highways shall be exalted.
Behold, these shall come from far--and lo, these from the
north and from the west, and these from the land of Sinim."
Sing, O heavens, and be joyful, O earth! And break forth
into singing, O mountains! For the LORD hath comforted
His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted. But
Zion said, "The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath
forgotten me." "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that
she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I
have graven thee upon the palms of My hands; thy walls
are continually before Me. Thy children shall make haste;
thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth
from thee. Lift up thine eyes round about and behold; all
these gather themselves together and come to thee. As I
live," saith the LORD, "thou shalt surely clothe thee with
them all as with an ornament, and bind them on thee as a
bride doeth.
Psalm 62 “Nonne Deo?”
M
Y soul truly waiteth still upon God; * for of him
cometh my salvation.
2 He verily is my strength and my salvation; * he is my
defence, so that I shall not greatly fall.
3 How long will ye imagine mischief against every man? *
Ye shall be slain all the sort of you; yea, as a tottering
wall shall ye be, and like a broken hedge.
4 Their device is only how to put him out whom God will
exalt; * their delight is in lies; they give good words with
their mouth, but curse with their heart.
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5 Nevertheless, my soul, wait thou still upon God; * for my
hope is in him.
6 He truly is my strength and my salvation; * he is my
defence, so that I shall not fall.
7 In God is my health and my glory; * the rock of my
might; and in God is my trust.
8 O put your trust in him alway, ye people; * pour out your
hearts before him, for God is our hope.
9 As for the children of men, they are but vanity; the
children of men are deceitful; * upon the weights they
are altogether lighter than vanity itself.
10 O trust not in wrong and robbery; give not yourselves
unto vanity: * if riches increase, set not your heart upon
them.
11 God spake once, and twice I have also heard the same, *
that power belongeth unto God;
12 And that thou, Lord, art merciful; * for thou rewardest
every man according to his work.
1 Corinthians 4:1-13
L
et a man so account us as the ministers of Christ, and
stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is
required in stewards that a man be found faithful. But with
me it is a very small thing that I should be judge by you, or
by man's judgment. Yea, I judge not mine own self. For I
know nothing by myself, yet am I not hereby justified; but
He that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing
before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to
light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest
the counsels of the hearts; and then shall every man have
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praise of God. And these things, brethren, I have in a sense
transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes, that ye
may learn through us not to regard men above that which is
written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against
another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? And
what hast thou that thou did not receive? Now if thou did
receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou had not been
given it? Now ye are full, now ye are rich! Ye have reigned
as kings without us! And I would to God ye did reign, that
we also might reign with you! For I think that God hath set
forth us, the apostles, last, as it were approved to death; for
we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and
to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in
Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable,
but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both
hunger and thirst, and are naked and are buffeted, and have
no certain dwelling place, and we labor, working with our
own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we
suffer it; being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the
filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto
this day.
Last Sunday after Epiphany
Exodus 24:12-18
A
nd the LORD said unto Moses, "Come up to Me onto
the mount, and be there; and I will give thee tablets of
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stone, and a law and commandments which I have written,
that thou mayest teach them." And Moses rose up with his
minister Joshua, and Moses went up onto the mount of
God. And he said unto the elders, "Tarry ye here for us
until we come again unto you; and behold, Aaron and Hur
are with you. If any man have any matters to arbitrate, let
him come unto them." And Moses went up onto the mount,
and a cloud covered the mount. And the glory of the LORD
abode upon Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days;
and the seventh day He called unto Moses out of the midst
of the cloud. And the sight of the glory of the LORD was
like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of
the children of Israel. And Moses went into the midst of the
cloud, and got himself up onto the mount; and Moses was
on the mount forty days and forty nights.
Psalm 99 “Dominus regnavit”
T
he lord is King, be the people never so impatient; * he
sitteth between the Cherubim, be the earth never so
unquiet.
2 The LORD is great in Sion, * and high above all people.
3 They shall give thanks unto thy Name, * which is great,
wonderful, and holy.
4 The King's power loveth judgment; thou hast prepared
equity, * thou hast executed judgment and righteousness
in Jacob.
5 O magnify the LORD our God, and fall down before his
footstool; * for he is holy.
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6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among
such as call upon his Name: * these called upon the
LORD, and he heard them.
7 He spake unto them out of the cloudy pillar; * for they
kept his testimonies, and the law that he gave them.
8 Thou heardest them, O LORD our God; * thou forgavest
them, O God, though thou didst punish their wicked
doings.
9 O magnify the LORD our God, and worship him upon his
holy hill; * for the LORD our God is holy.
Philippians 3:7-14
B
ut what things were gain to me, those I counted as loss
for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but
loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my
Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and
count them but dung, that I may win Christ and be found in
Him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the
law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God by faith, that I may know
Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship
of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death,
that if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of
the dead. It is not as though I had already attained it, nor
were already perfect; but I follow after, that I may
apprehend that for which Christ Jesus also apprehended
me. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended it,
but this one thing I do: forgetting those things which are
behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are
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before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1-2,12-17
B
low ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My
holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land
tremble; for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at
hand-- a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds
and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the
mountains. A great people and a strong, there hath not been
ever the like; neither shall be any more after it, even to the
years of many generations. "Therefore also now," saith the
LORD, "turn ye even to Me with all your heart, and with
fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning." And rend
your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD
your God; for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger,
and of great kindness, and repenteth of the evil. Who
knoweth if He will return and repent, and leave a blessing
behind Him--even a meat offering and a drink offering unto
the LORD your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a
fast! Call a solemn assembly, gather the people! Sanctify
the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children
and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth
from his chamber and the bride out of her retreat. Let the
priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch
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and the altar; and let them say, "Spare Thy people, O
LORD, and give not Thine heritage to reproach, that the
heathen should rule over them.Why should they say among
the people, `Where is their God?'"
or
Isaiah 58:1-12
"Cry aloud, spare not; lift up thy voice like a trumpet! And
show My people their transgression and the house of Jacob
their sins. Yet they seek Me daily and delight to know My
ways, as a nation that did righteousness and forsook not the
ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of
justice; they take delight in approaching to God. `Why have
we fasted,' say they, `and Thou seest not? Why have we
afflicted our soul, and thou takest no note?' Behold, in the
day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labors.
Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the
fist of wickedness; ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to
make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I
have chosen? A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to
bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth
and ashes under him? Wilt thou call this a fast, and an
acceptable day to the LORD? "Is not this the fast that I
have chosen: to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the
heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye
break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry,
and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?-when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him, and that
thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy
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light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall
spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before
thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rearward. Then
shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry,
and He shall say, `Here I am.' If thou take away from the
midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger and
speaking vanity, and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall thy light rise in
obscurity and thy darkness be as the noonday. And the
LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in
drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a
watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters
fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old
waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many
generations, and thou shalt be called the Repairer of the
Breach, the Restorer of Paths to dwell in.
Psalm 103 “Benedic, anima mea”
P
RAISE the LORD, O my soul; * and all that is within
me, praise his holy Name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, * and forget not all his
benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thy sin, * and healeth all thine
infirmities;
4 Who saveth thy life from destruction, * and crowneth
thee with mercy and loving-kindness;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, * making
thee young and lusty as an eagle.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment * for
all them that are oppressed with wrong.
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7 He showed his ways unto Moses, * his works unto the
children of Israel.
8 The LORD is full of compassion and mercy, *
longsuffering, and of great goodness.
9 He will not alway be chiding; * neither keepeth he his
anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; * nor rewarded
us according to our wickednesses.
11 For look how high the heaven is in comparison of the
earth; * so great is his mercy also toward them that fear
him.
12 Look how wide also the east is from the west; * so far
hath he set our sins from us.
13 Yea, like as a father pitieth his own children; * even so
is the LORD merciful unto them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth whereof we are made; * he
remembereth that we are but dust.
15 The days of man are but as grass; * for he flourisheth as
a flower of the field.
16 For as soon as the wind goeth over it, it is gone; * and
the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the merciful goodness of the LORD endureth for
ever and ever upon them that fear him; * and his
righteousness upon children's children;
18 Even upon such as keep his covenant, * and think upon
his commandments to do them.
19 The LORD hath prepared his seat in heaven, * and his
kingdom ruleth over all.
20 O praise the LORD, ye angels of his, ye that excel in
strength; * ye that fulfil his commandment, and hearken
unto the voice of his word.
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21 O praise the LORD, all ye his hosts; * ye servants of his
that do his pleasure.
22 O speak good of the LORD, all ye works of his, in all
places of his dominion: * praise thou the LORD, O my
soul.
2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
N
ow then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God
did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead,
be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for
us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him. We then, as workers together
with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of
God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time
accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee:
behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of
salvation.) Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry
be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the
ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in
necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in
tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness,
by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy
Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the
power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right
hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil
report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As
unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we
live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway
rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having
nothing, and yet possessing all things.
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First Sunday in Lent
Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-17, 25-3:7
I
n the day that the LORD God made the earth and the
heavens, and before every plant of the field was in the
earth, and before every herb of the field grew; for the
LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and
there was not a man to till the ground. But there went up a
mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the
ground. And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the
ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and
man became a living soul. And the LORD God planted a
garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom
He had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD
God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and
good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the
garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And
the LORD God took the man and put him into the Garden
of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God
commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden
thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of
good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it. For in the day that
thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die." And they were
both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field
which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the
woman, "Yea, hath God said, `Ye shall not eat of every tree
of the garden'?" And the woman said unto the serpent, "We
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may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden, but of the
fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God
hath said, `Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it,
lest ye die.'" And the serpent said unto the woman, "Ye
shall not surely die; for God doth know that in the day ye
eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be
as gods, knowing good and evil." And when the woman
saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant
to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she
took of the fruit thereof and ate, and gave also unto her
husband with her; and he ate. And the eyes of them both
were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they
sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves things to
gird about.
Psalm 51 “Miserere mei, Deus”
H
AVE mercy upon me, O God, after thy great
goodness; * according to the multitude of thy mercies
do away mine offences.
2 Wash me throughly from my wickedness, * and cleanse
me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my faults, * and my sin is ever before
me.
4 Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy
sight; * that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and
clear when thou shalt judge.
5 Behold, I was shapen in wickedness, * and in sin hath my
mother conceived me.
6 But lo, thou requirest truth in the inward parts, * and shalt
make me to understand wisdom secretly.
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7 Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
* thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than now.
8 Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness, * that the
bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Turn thy face from my sins, * and put out all my
misdeeds.
10 Make me a clean heart, O God, * and renew a right
spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence, * and take not thy
holy Spirit from me.
12 O give me the comfort of thy help again, * and stablish
me with thy free Spirit.
13 Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked, * and
sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art
the God of my health; * and my tongue shall sing of thy
righteousness.
15 Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord, * and my mouth shall
show thy praise.
16 For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it thee;
* but thou delightest not in burnt-offerings.
17 The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: * a broken and
contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise.
18 O be favourable and gracious unto Sion; * build thou the
walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of
righteousness, with the burnt-offerings and oblations;
* then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.
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Romans 5:12-21
T
herefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and
death by sin, so death passed onto all men, for all have
sinned. For until the law, sin was in the world, but sin is not
imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned
from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned
in the similitude of Adam's transgression, he being the
figure of Him that was to come. But not as the offense, so
also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many
be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by
grace, which is by one Man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded
unto many. And not as it was by one who sinned, so is the
gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the
free gift is for many offenses unto justification. For if by
one man's offense death reigned by one, much more those
who receive abundance of grace and the gift of
righteousness shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ.
Therefore as by the offense of one, judgment to
condemnation came upon all men, even so by the
righteousness of One, the free gift unto justification of life
came upon all men. For as by one man's disobedience many
were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many
be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the
offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did
much more abound, that, as sin hath reigned unto death,
even so might grace reign through righteousness unto
eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Second Sunday in Lent
Genesis 12:1-8
N
ow the LORD had said unto Abram, "Get thee out of
thy country, and from thy kindred and from thy
father's house, unto a land that I will show thee. And I will
make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee and make
thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will
bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee;
and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." So
Abram departed as the LORD had spoken unto him, and
Lot went with him; and Abram was seventy and five years
old when he departed out of Haran. And Abram took Sarai
his wife and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance
that they had gathered, and the souls whom they had gotten
in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan,
and into the land of Canaan they came. And Abram passed
through the land unto the place of Shechem, unto the plain
of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land. And
the LORD appeared unto Abram and said, "Unto thy seed
will I give this land." And there built he an altar unto the
LORD, who appeared unto him. And he removed from
thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched
his tent, having Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and
there he built an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the
name of the LORD.
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Psalm 33:12-21 “Exultate, justi”
B
LESSED are the people whose God is the Lord
JEHOVAH; * and blessed are the folk that he hath
chosen to him, to be his inheritance.
13 The LORD looketh down from heaven, and beholdeth
all the children of men; * from the habitation of his
dwelling, he considereth all them that dwell on the earth.
14 He fashioneth all the hearts of them, * and
understandeth all their works.
15 There is no king that can be saved by the multitude of an
host; * neither is any mighty man delivered by much
strength.
16 A horse is counted but a vain thing to save a man; *
neither shall he deliver any man by his great strength.
17 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear
him, * and upon them that put their trust in his mercy;
18 To deliver their soul from death, * and to feed them in
the time of dearth.
19 Our soul hath patiently tarried for the LORD; * for he is
our help and our shield.
20 For our heart shall rejoice in him; * because we have
hoped in his holy Name.
21 Let thy merciful kindness, O LORD, be upon us, * like
as we do put our trust in thee.
Romans 4:1-17
W
hat shall we say then that Abraham our father hath
found pertaining to the flesh? For if Abraham were
justified by works, he hath reason to glory, but not before
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God. For what saith the Scripture? "Abraham believed
God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." Now
to him that worketh, his reward is reckoned not according
to grace, but according to debt. But to him that worketh not,
but believeth in Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is
counted for righteousness, even as David also describeth
the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth
righteousness without works, saying, "Blessed are they
whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."
Cometh this blessedness then upon the Circumcision only,
or upon the Uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was
reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then
reckoned? When he was in circumcision, or in
uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in
uncircumcision! And he received the sign of circumcision,
a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had, yet
being uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all
those who believe, though they are not circumcised, that
righteousness might be imputed unto them also, and the
father of circumcision to those who are not of the
Circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that
faith of our father Abraham which he had, being yet
uncircumcised. For the promise that he should be the heir
of the world came not to Abraham or to his seed through
the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those
who are of the law be heirs, faith is made void and the
promise made of no effect, because the law worketh wrath;
for where there is no law, there is no transgression.
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be given by grace to
the end that the promise might be made sure to all the seed,
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not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is
of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is
written: "I have made thee a father of many nations"), in
the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who
quickeneth the dead and calleth those things which are not,
as though they were.
Third Sunday in Lent
Exodus 17:1-7
A
nd all the congregation of the children of Israel
journeyed from the Wilderness of Sin after their
journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD,
and pitched camp in Rephidim; and there was no water for
the people to drink. Therefore the people chided Moses and
said, "Give us water that we may drink." And Moses said
unto them, "Why chide ye me? Why do ye tempt the
LORD?" And the people thirsted there for water; and the
people murmured against Moses and said, "Why is this that
thou hast brought us up out of Egypt to kill us and our
children and our cattle with thirst?" And Moses cried unto
the LORD, saying, "What shall I do unto this people? They
are almost ready to stone me!" And the LORD said unto
Moses, "Go on before the people, and take with thee of the
elders of Israel; and thy rod with which thou smotest the
river, take in thine hand and go. Behold, I will stand before
thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the
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rock and there shall come water out of it, that the people
may drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of
Israel. And he called the name of the place Massah [that is,
Temptation], and Meribah [that is, Chiding], because of the
chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted
the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"
Psalm 95 “Exultate, justi”
O
COME, let us sing unto the LORD; * let us heartily
rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; * and
show ourselves glad in him with psalms.
3 For the LORD is a great God;* and a great King above all
gods.
4 In his hand are all the corners of the earth; * and the
strength of the hills is his also.
5 The sea is his, and he made it; * and his hands prepared
the dry land.
6 O come, let us worship and fall down, * and kneel before
the LORD our Maker.
7 For he is the Lord our God; * and we are the people of his
pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
8 To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts
* as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in
the wilderness;
9 When your fathers tempted me, * proved me, and saw my
works.
10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and
said, * It is a people that do err in their hearts, for they
have not known my ways:
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11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath, * that they should not
enter into my rest.
Romans 5:1-11
T
herefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with
God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we
have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and
rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but
we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation
worketh patience; and patience, experience; and
experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed, because
the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy
Ghost who is given unto us. For when we were yet without
strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For
scarcely will one die for a righteous man, yet perhaps for a
good man some would even dare to die. But God
commendeth His love toward us in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now
justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath
through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were
reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more,
being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not
only that, but we shall also rejoice in God through our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the
atonement.
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Fourth Sunday in Lent
1 Samuel 16:1-13
A
nd the LORD said unto Samuel, "How long wilt thou
mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from
reigning over Israel? Fill thine horn with oil, and go. I will
send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided Me
a king among his sons." And Samuel said, "How can I go?
If Saul hear it, he will kill me." And the LORD said, "Take
a heifer with thee, and say, `I have come to sacrifice to the
LORD.' And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee
what thou shalt do; and thou shalt anoint unto Me him
whom I name unto thee." And Samuel did that which the
LORD spoke, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of
the town trembled at his coming, and said, "Comest thou
peaceably?" And he said, "Peaceably; I have come to
sacrifice unto the LORD. Sanctify yourselves, and come
with me to the sacrifice." And he sanctified Jesse and his
sons, and called them to the sacrifice. And it came to pass,
when they had come, that he looked on Eliab and said,
"Surely the LORD'S anointed is before Him." But the
LORD said unto Samuel, "Look not on his countenance or
on the height of his stature, because I have refused him; for
the LORD seeth not as man seeth. For man looketh on the
outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."
Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before
Samuel. And he said, "Neither hath the LORD chosen this."
Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said,
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"Neither hath the LORD chosen this." Again, Jesse made
seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said
unto Jesse, "The LORD hath not chosen these." And
Samuel said unto Jesse, "Are here all thy children?" And he
said, "There remaineth yet the youngest, and behold, he
keepeth the sheep." And Samuel said unto Jesse, "Send and
fetch him, for we will not sit down till he come hither."
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and
altogether of a beautiful countenance and goodly to look
upon. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is
he." Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in
the midst of his brethren; and the Spirit of the LORD came
upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and
went to Ramah.
Psalm 23 “Dominus regit me”
T
Lord is my shepherd: * therefore can I lack
nothing.
2 He shall feed me in a green pasture, * and lead me forth
beside the waters of comfort.
3 He shall convert my soul, * and bring me forth in the
paths of righteousness for his Name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil; * for thou art with me; thy rod
and thy staff comfort me.
5 Thou shalt prepare a table before me in the presence of
them that trouble me; thou hast anointed my head with
oil and my cup shall be full.
HE
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6 Surely thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all
the days of my life; * and I will dwell in the house of the
Lord for ever.
Ephesians 5:1-14
B
e ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and
walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath
given Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God
for a sweet smelling savor. But fornication and all
uncleanness or covetousness, let them not once be named
among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor
foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not befitting, but
rather giving of thanks. For this ye know: that no
whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man who
is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of
Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain
words, for because of these things cometh the wrath of God
upon the children of disobedience. Be ye not therefore
partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but
now ye are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for
the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness
and truth), proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And
have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,
but rather reprove them, for it is shameful even to speak of
those things which are done by them in secret. But all
things that are reproved are made manifest by the light, for
whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Therefore He saith:
"Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and
Christ shall give thee light."
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Fifth Sunday in Lent
Ezekiel 37:1-14
T
he hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me
out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the
midst of the valley which was full of bones, and caused me
to pass by them round about; and behold, there were very
many in the open valley, and lo, they were very dry. And
He said unto me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I
answered, "O Lord GOD, Thou knowest." Again He said
unto me, "Prophesy upon these bones and say unto them,
`O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith
the Lord GOD unto these bones: Behold, I will cause
breath to enter into you, and ye shall live. And I will lay
sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and
cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall
live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.'" So I
prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there
was a noise, and behold, a shaking, and the bones came
together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the
sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin
covered them above; but there was no breath in them. Then
said He unto me, "Prophesy unto the wind. Prophesy, son
of man, and say to the wind, `Thus saith the Lord GOD:
Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon
these slain, that they may live.'" So I prophesied as He
commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they
lived and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
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Then He said unto me, "Son of man, these bones are the
whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, `Our bones are
dried and our hope is lost. We are cut off from our parts.'
Therefore prophesy and say unto them, `Thus saith the
Lord GOD: Behold, O My people, I will open your graves
and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you
into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the
LORD when I have opened your graves, O My people, and
brought you up out of your graves, and shall put My Spirit
in you and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own
land. Then shall ye know that I, the LORD, have spoken it
and performed it, saith the LORD.'"
Psalm 130 “De profundis”
O
2
3
4
5
6
7
of the depths have I called to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice; * let your ears consider well
the voice of my supplication.
If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, * O
Lord, who could stand?
For there is forgiveness with you; * therefore you shall
be feared.
I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; * in his
word is my hope.
My soul waits for the LORD, more than watchmen for
the morning, * more than watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, wait for the LORD, * for with the LORD there
is mercy;
With him there is plenteous redemption, * and he shall
redeem Israel from all their sins.
UT
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Romans 6:16-23
K
now ye not that to whomever ye yield yourselves as
servants to obey, his servants ye become whom ye
obey, whether of sin which leads unto death, or of
obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked that
though ye were the servants of sin, now ye have obeyed
from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered
you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants
of righteousness. I speak in the manner of men because of
the infirmity of your flesh. For as ye have yielded your
members as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto
iniquity, even so now yield your members as servants to
righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants
of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye
then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the
end of those things is death. But now, being made free from
sin and having become servants of God, ye have your fruit
unto holiness and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of
sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
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Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
Liturgy of the Palms
Matthew 21:1-11
A
nd when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem and had come
to Bethphage unto the Mount of Olives, then sent
Jesus two disciples, saying unto them, "Go into the village
opposite you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and
a colt with her. Loose them and bring them unto Me. And if
any man say aught unto you, ye shall say, `The Lord hath
need of them,' and straightway he will send them." All this
was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the
prophet, saying, "Tell ye the daughter of Zion, `Behold, thy
King cometh unto thee, meek and sitting upon an ass, and a
colt, the foal of an ass.'" And the disciples went and did as
Jesus commanded them. And they brought the ass and the
colt and put on them their clothes, and they set Him
thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments
in the way; and others cut down branches from the trees
and strewed them in the way. And the multitudes that went
before, and that followed, cried out, saying, "Hosanna to
the Son of David! Blessed is He that cometh in the name of
the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" And when He had come
into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is
this?" And the multitude said, "This is Jesus, the prophet of
Nazareth of Galilee."
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Psalm 118:19-29 “Confitemini Domino”
O
pen me the gates of righteousness, * that I may go
into them, and give thanks unto the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD, * the righteous shall enter
into it.
21 I will thank thee; for thou hast heard me, * and art
become my salvation.
22 The same stone which the builders refused, * is become
the head-stone in the corner.
23 This is the LORD'S doing, * and it is marvellous in our
eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; * we will
rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Help me now, O LORD: * O LORD, send us now
prosperity.
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the Name of the LORD: *
we have wished you good luck, we that are of the house
of the LORD.
27 God is the LORD, who hath showed us light: * bind the
sacrifice with cords, yea, even unto the horns of the altar.
28 Thou art my God, and I will thank thee; * thou art my
God, and I will praise thee.
29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is gracious, * and
his mercy endureth for ever.
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Liturgy of the Word
Isaiah 45:21-25
T
ell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel
together. Who hath declared this from ancient time?
Who hath told it from that time? Have not I, the LORD?
And there is no God else besides Me, a just God and a
Savior. There is none besides Me. "Look unto Me, and be
ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there
is none else. I have sworn by Myself; the word is gone out
of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that
unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Surely, shall one say, `In the LORD have I righteousness
and strength. Even to Him shall men come, and all that are
incensed against Him shall be ashamed. In the LORD shall
all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.'"
or
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
"Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently, He shall be
exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many as were
astonished at thee--His visage was so marred more than any
man, and his form more than the sons of men" so shall He
sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at
Him. For that which had not been told them shall they see,
and that which they had not heard shall they consider."
Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of
the LORD revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a
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tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground. He hath no
form nor comeliness, and when we shall see Him, there is
no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and
rejected of men, a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with
grief. And we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was
despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He hath borne
our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem Him
stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was
wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our
iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him,
and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have
gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and
the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was
oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not his
mouth; He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a
sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His
mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment; and
who shall declare His generation? For He was cut off out of
the land of the living; for the transgression of My people
was He stricken. And He made His grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in His death, because He had done no
violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it
pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief.
When thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall
see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of
the LORD shall prosper in His hand. He shall see of the
travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied. By His knowledge
shall My righteous Servant justify many, for He shall bear
their iniquities. Therefore will I divide Him a portion with
the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because He hath poured out His soul unto death. And He
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was numbered with the transgressors; and He bore the sin
of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Psalm 22:1-22 “Deus, Deus meus”
MY God, my God, look upon me; why hast thou forsaken
me? * and art so far from my health, and from the words
of my complaint?
2 O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou hearest not; *
and in the night season also I take no rest.
3 And thou continuest holy, * O thou Worship of Israel.
4 Our fathers hoped in thee; * they trusted in thee, and thou
didst deliver them.
5 They called upon thee, and were holpen; * they put their
trust in thee, and were not confounded.
6 But as for me, I am a worm, and no man; * a very scorn
of men, and the outcast of the people.
7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn; * they shoot out
their lips, and shake their heads, saying,
8 He trusted in the LORD, that he would deliver him; * let
him deliver him, if he will have him.
9 But thou art he that took me out of my mother's womb; *
thou wast my hope, when I hanged yet upon my mother's
breasts.
10 I have been left unto thee ever since I was born; * thou
art my God even from my mother's womb.
11 O go not from me; for trouble is hard at hand, * and
there is none to help me.
12 Many oxen are come about me; * fat bulls of Bashan
close me in on every side.
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13 They gape upon me with their mouths, * as it were a
ramping and a roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of
joint; * my heart also in the midst of my body is even
like melting wax.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my
tongue cleaveth to my gums, * and thou bringest me into
the dust of death.
16 For many dogs are come about me, * and the council of
the wicked layeth siege against me.
17 They pierced my hands and my feet: I may tell all my
bones: * they stand staring and looking upon me.
18 They part my garments among them, * and cast lots
upon my vesture.
19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD; * thou art my
succour, haste thee to help me.
20 Deliver my soul from the sword, * my darling from the
power of the dog.
21 Save me from the lion's mouth; * thou hast heard me
also from among the horns of the unicorns.
22 I will declare thy Name unto my brethren; * in the midst
of the congregation will I praise thee.
Philippians 2:5-11
L
et this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,
who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery
to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation,
and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in
the likeness of men. And being found in the fashion of a
man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto
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death--even the death of the cross. Therefore God also hath
highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above
every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should
bow, of things in Heaven and things on earth and things
under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Monday in Holy Week
Isaiah 42:1-9
"Behold My Servant, whom I uphold, Mine Elect, in whom
My soul delighteth: I have put My Spirit upon Him; He
shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry,
nor lift up, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A
bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall
He not quench; He shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He hath set
judgment in the earth; and the isles shall wait for His law."
Thus saith God the LORD--He that created the heavens and
stretched them out, He that spread forth the earth and that
which cometh out of it, He that giveth breath unto the
people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: "I, the
LORD, have called Thee in righteousness, and will hold
Thine hand, and will keep Thee, and give Thee for a
covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open
the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison,
and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am
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the LORD; that is My name. And My glory will I not give
to another, neither My praise to graven images. "Behold,
the former things are come to pass, and new things do I
declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them."
Psalm 36:5-10 “Dixit injustus”
T
hy mercy, O LORD, reacheth unto the heavens, * and
thy faithfulness unto the clouds.
6 Thy righteousness standeth like the strong mountains: *
thy judgments are like the great deep.
7 Thou, LORD, shalt save both man and beast: how
excellent is thy mercy, O God! * and the children of men
shall put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
8 They shall be satisfied with the plenteousness of thy
house; * and thou shalt give them drink of thy pleasures,
as out of the river.
9 For with thee is the well of life; * and in thy light shall
we see light.
10 O continue forth thy loving-kindness unto them that
know thee, * and thy righteousness unto them that are
true of heart.
Hebrews 11:39-12:3
A
nd these all, having obtained a good report through
faith, received not the promise, God having provided
some better thing for us, that they without us should not be
made perfect. Therefore, seeing we also are compassed
about by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside
every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and
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let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who
for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of
the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such
contradiction from sinners against Himself, lest ye be
wearied and faint in your minds.
Tuesday in Holy Week
Isaiah 49:1-6
"Listen, O isles, unto Me, and hearken, ye people from
afar! The LORD hath called Me from the womb; from the
bowels of My mother hath He made mention of My name.
And He hath made My mouth like a sharp sword; in the
shadow of His hand hath He hid Me, and made Me a
polished shaft. In His quiver hath He hid Me, and said unto
Me, `Thou art My servant, O Israel, in whom I will be
glorified.' Then I said, `I have labored in vain; I have spent
My strength for nought and in vain; yet surely My
judgment is with the LORD, and My work with My God.'"
"And now saith the LORD that formed Me from the womb
to be His servant, to bring Jacob again to Him, though
Israel be not gathered--yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of
the LORD, and My God shall be My strength" and He said:
`It is a light thing that Thou shouldest be My servant to
raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of
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Israel. I will also give Thee for a light to the Gentiles, that
Thou mayest be My salvation unto the end of the earth.'"
Psalm 71:1-11 “In te, Domine, speravi”
I
N thee, O LORD, have I put my trust; let me never be
put to confusion, * but rid me and deliver me in thy
righteousness; incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
2 Be thou my stronghold, whereunto I may alway resort: *
thou hast promised to help me, for thou art my house of
defence, and my castle.
3 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the ungodly, *
out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
4 For thou, O Lord GOD, art the thing that I long for: *
thou art my hope, even from my youth.
5 Through thee have I been holden up ever since I was
born: * thou art he that took me out of my mother's
womb: my praise shall be alway of thee.
6 I am become as it were a monster unto many, * but my
sure trust is in thee.
7 O let my mouth be filled with thy praise, * that I may
sing of thy glory and honour all the day long.
8 Cast me not away in the time of age; * forsake me not
when my strength faileth me.
9 For mine enemies speak against me; * and they that lay
wait for my soul take their counsel together, saying,
10 God hath forsaken him; * persecute him, and take him,
for there is none to deliver him.
11 Go not far from me, O God; * my God, haste thee to
help me.
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1 Corinthians 1:18-31
F
or the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those
who perish; but unto us who are saved, it is the power
of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the
wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the
prudent." Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is
the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the
wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the
world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the
foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. For the
Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; but
we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling
block, and unto the Greeks foolishness, but unto those who
are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God
and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser
than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For ye see in your calling, brethren, how not many wise
men according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many
noble, are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of
the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the
weak things of the world to confound the things which are
mighty; and base things of the world and things which are
despised hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to
bring to nought things which are, that no flesh should glory
in His presence. But because of Him are ye in Christ Jesus,
who from God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness,
and sanctification and redemption, that according as it is
written: "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."
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Wednesday in Holy Week
Isaiah 50:4-9a
"The Lord GOD hath given Me the tongue of the learned,
that I should know how to speak a word in season to him
that is weary. He wakeneth morning by morning; He
wakeneth Mine ear to hear as the learned. The Lord GOD
hath opened Mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither
turned away back. I gave My back to the smiters and My
cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; I hid not My face
from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help Me,
therefore shall I not be confounded; therefore have I set My
face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. He
is near that justifieth Me. Who will contend with Me? Let
us stand together. Who is Mine adversary? Let him come
near to Me. Behold, the Lord GOD will help Me. Who is he
that shall condemn Me? Lo, they all shall wax old as a
garment; the moth shall eat them up.
Psalm 69:6-14, 21-22 “Salvum me fac”
L
et not them that trust in thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be
ashamed for my cause; * let not those that seek thee be
confounded through me, O Lord God of Israel.
7 And why? for thy sake have I suffered reproof; * shame
hath covered my face.
8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, * even an alien
unto my mother's children.
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9 For the zeal of thine house hath even eaten me; * and the
rebukes of them that rebuked thee are fallen upon me.
10 I wept, and chastened myself with fasting, * and that
was turned to my reproof.
11 I put on sackcloth also, * and they jested upon me.
12 They that sit in the gate speak against me, * and the
drunkards make songs upon me.
13 But, LORD, I make my prayer unto thee * in an
acceptable time.
14 Hear me, O God, in the multitude of thy mercy, * even
in the truth of thy salvation.
21 Reproach hath broken my heart; I am full of heaviness:
* I looked for some to have pity on me, but there was no
man, neither found I any to comfort me.
22 They gave me gall to eat; * and when I was thirsty they
gave me vinegar to drink.
Hebrews 9:11-15, 24-28
B
ut Christ, having come a High Priest of good things to
come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not
made with hands (that is to say, not of this building),
neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own
blood, He entered in once into the Holy Place, having
obtained eternal redemption for us. For if sprinkling the
unclean with the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a
heifer sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh, how much
more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal
Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your
conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And
for this cause He is the Mediator of the new testament, that
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by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions
that were covered under the first testament, those who are
called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For
Christ has not entered into the holy places made with
hands, which are copies of the true, but into Heaven itself,
now to appear in the presence of God for us. Nor yet should
He offer Himself often, as the high priest entereth into the
holy place with blood of others every year; for then would
He have had to suffer often since the foundation of the
world; but now once, in the end of the world, hath He
appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And
as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the
Judgment, so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of
many; and unto those who look for Him shall He appear the
second time without sin, unto salvation.
Maundy Thursday
Exodus 12:1-14a
A
nd the LORD spoke unto Moses and Aaron in the land
of Egypt, saying, "This month shall be unto you the
beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year
to you. Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying,
`On the tenth day of this month they shall take for
themselves every man a lamb, according to the house of
their fathers, a lamb for a house. And if the household be
too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next unto
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his house take it according to the number of the souls;
every man according to his eating shall make your count
for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of
the first year; ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from
the goats. And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day
of the same month, and the whole assembly of the
congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they
shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts
and on the upper door post of the houses wherein they shall
eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roasted with
fire; and with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they
shall eat it. Eat not of it raw, nor boiled at all with water,
but roasted with fire -- his head with his legs and with the
viscera thereof. And ye shall let nothing of it remain until
the morning, and that which remaineth of it until the
morning ye shall burn with fire. And thus shall ye eat it:
with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your
staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste; it is the
LORD'S Passover. For I will pass through the land of
Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land
of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of
Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the
blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye
are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the
plague shall not be upon you to destroy you when I smite
the land of Egypt. "`And this day shall be unto you for a
memorial, and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD
throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an
ordinance for ever.
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Psalm 78:15-21, 24-26 “Attendite, popule”
I
n the day-time also he led them with a cloud, * and all
the night through with a light of fire.
16 He clave the hard rocks in the wilderness, * and gave
them drink thereof, as it had been out of the great depth.
17 He brought waters out of the stony rock, * so that it
gushed out like the rivers.
18 Yet for all this they sinned more against him, * and
provoked the Most Highest in the wilderness.
19 They tempted God in their hearts, * and required meat
for their lust.
20 They spake against God also, saying, * Shall God
prepare a table in the wilderness?
21 He smote the stony rock indeed, that the water gushed
out, and the streams flowed withal; * but can he give
bread also, or provide flesh for his people?
24 So he commanded the clouds above, * and opened the
doors of heaven.
25 He rained down manna also upon them for to eat, * and
gave them food from heaven.
26 So man did eat angels' food; * for he sent them meat
enough.
1 Corinthians 11:236-32
F
or I have received from the Lord that which also I
delivered unto you: that the Lord Jesus, the same night
in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had
given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My
body which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of
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Me." In the same manner also He took the cup when He
had supped, saying, "This cup is the new testament in My
blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of
Me." For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye
do show the Lord's death until He come. Therefore
whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the
Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of
the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and then let him
eat of that bread and drink of that cup. For he that eateth
and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to
himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause
many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For
if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But
when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we
should not be condemned with the world.
Good Friday
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
"Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently, He shall be
exalted and extolled, and be very high. s many as were
astonished at thee--His visage was so marred more than any
man, and his form more than the sons of men" so shall He
sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at
Him. For that which had not been told them shall they see,
and that which they had not heard shall they consider."
Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of
the LORD revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a
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tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground. He hath no
form nor comeliness, and when we shall see Him, there is
no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and
rejected of men, a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with
grief. And we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was
despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He hath borne
our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem Him
stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was
wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our
iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him,
and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have
gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and
the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was
oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not his
mouth; He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a
sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His
mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment; and
who shall declare His generation? For He was cut off out of
the land of the living; for the transgression of My people
was He stricken. And He made His grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in His death, because He had done no
violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it
pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief.
When thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall
see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of
the LORD shall prosper in His hand. He shall see of the
travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied. By His knowledge
shall My righteous Servant justify many, for He shall bear
their iniquities. Therefore will I divide Him a portion with
the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because He hath poured out His soul unto death. And He
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was numbered with the transgressors; and He bore the sin
of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
or
Genesis 22:1-18
A
nd it came to pass after these things, that God tested
Abraham and said unto him, "Abraham!" And he said,
"Behold, here I am." And He said, "Take now thy son,
thine only son Isaac whom thou lovest, and get thee into the
land of Moriah, and offer him there for a burnt offering
upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of." And
Abraham rose up early in the morning and saddled his ass,
and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son;
and he cleaved the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up
and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then
on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the
place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men,
"Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go
yonder and worship, and come again to you." And
Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it
upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand and a
knife, and they went both of them together. And Isaac
spoke unto Abraham his father and said, "My father!" And
he said, "Here am I, my son." And he said, "Behold the fire
and the wood; but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"
And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide Himself a
lamb for a burnt offering." So they went both of them
together. And they came to the place which God had told
him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood
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in order, and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar
upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and
took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD
called unto him out of heaven and said, "Abraham,
Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." And He said, "Lay
not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto
him; for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast
not withheld thy son, thine only son, from Me." And
Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked; and behold, behind
him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham
went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt
offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the
name of that place Jehovahjireh [that is, The LORD will
provide]; as it is said to this day, "In the mount of the
LORD it shall be seen." And the angel of the LORD called
unto Abraham out of heaven the second time and said, "By
Myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou
hast done this thing and hast not withheld thy son, thine
only son, in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I
will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven and as the
sand which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess
the gate of his enemies. And in thy seed shall all the nations
of the earth be blessed, because thou hast obeyed My
voice."
or
Wisdom 2:1, 12-24
F
or the ungodly said, reasoning with themselves, but not
aright: "Our life is short and tedious, and in the death
of a man there is no remedy; neither was there any man
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known to have returned from the grave. Therefore let us lie
in wait for the righteous, because he is not for our way, and
he is clean contrary to our doings; he upbraideth us with
our offending the law, and objecteth to our infamy, the
transgressings against our education. He professeth to have
the knowledge of God, and he calleth himself the child of
the Lord. He was made to reprove our thoughts; he is
grievous unto us even to behold. For his life is not like
other men's; his ways are of another fashion. e are esteemed
by him as counterfeits; he abstaineth from our ways as from
filthiness; he pronounceth the end of the just to be blessed,
and maketh his boast that God is his father. Let us see if his
words be true, and let us prove what shall happen at the end
of him. For if the just man be the son of God, He will help
him, and deliver him from the hand of his enemies. Let us
examine him with despitefulness and torture, that we may
know his meekness, and prove his patience. Let us
condemn him to a shameful death, for by his own saying he
shall be respected." Such things they did imagine and were
deceived, for their own wickedness hath blinded them. As
for the mysteries of God, they knew them not; neither
hoped they for the wages of righteousness, nor discerned a
reward for blameless souls. For God created man to be
immortal, and made him to be an image of His own
eternity. Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death
into the world; and those who take hold of his side do find
it.
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Psalm 22:1-22 “Deus, Deus meus”
M
Y God, my God, look upon me; why hast thou
forsaken me? * and art so far from my health, and
from the words of my complaint?
2 O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou hearest not; *
and in the night season also I take no rest.
3 And thou continuest holy, * O thou Worship of Israel.
4 Our fathers hoped in thee; * they trusted in thee, and thou
didst deliver them.
5 They called upon thee, and were holpen; * they put their
trust in thee, and were not confounded.
6 But as for me, I am a worm, and no man; * a very scorn
of men, and the outcast of the people.
7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn; * they shoot out
their lips, and shake their heads, saying,
8 He trusted in the LORD, that he would deliver him; * let
him deliver him, if he will have him.
9 But thou art he that took me out of my mother's womb; *
thou wast my hope, when I hanged yet upon my mother's
breasts.
10 I have been left unto thee ever since I was born; * thou
art my God even from my mother's womb.
11 O go not from me; for trouble is hard at hand, * and
there is none to help me.
12 Many oxen are come about me; * fat bulls of Bashan
close me in on every side.
13 They gape upon me with their mouths, * as it were a
ramping and a roaring lion.
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14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of
joint; * my heart also in the midst of my body is even
like melting wax.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my
tongue cleaveth to my gums, * and thou bringest me into
the dust of death.
16 For many dogs are come about me, * and the council of
the wicked layeth siege against me.
17 They pierced my hands and my feet: I may tell all my
bones: * they stand staring and looking upon me.
18 They part my garments among them, * and cast lots
upon my vesture.
19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD; * thou art my
succour, haste thee to help me.
20 Deliver my soul from the sword, * my darling from the
power of the dog.
21 Save me from the lion's mouth; * thou hast heard me
also from among the horns of the unicorns.
22 I will declare thy Name unto my brethren; * in the midst
of the congregation will I praise thee.
or
Psalm 40 “Expectans expectavi”
I
WAITED patiently for the LORD, * and he inclined
unto me, and heard my calling.
2 He brought me also out of the horrible pit, out of the mire
and clay, * and set my feet upon the rock, and ordered
my goings.
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3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, * even a
thanksgiving unto our God.
4 Many shall see it, and fear, * and shall put their trust in
the LORD.
5 Blessed is the man that hath set his hope in the LORD, *
and turned not unto the proud, and to such as go about
with lies.
6 O LORD my God, great are the wondrous works which
thou hast done, like as be also thy thoughts, which are to
us-ward; * and yet there is no man that ordereth them
unto thee.
7 If I should declare them, and speak of them, * they should
be more than I am able to express.
8 Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, * but mine ears
hast thou opened.
9 Burnt-offering and sacrifice for sin hast thou not
required: * then said I, Lo, I come;
10 In the volume of the book it is written of me, that I
should fulfil thy will, O my God: * I am content to do it;
yea, thy law is within my heart.
11 I have declared thy righteousness in the great
congregation: * lo, I will not refrain my lips, O LORD,
and that thou knowest.
12 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; * my
talk hath been of thy truth, and of thy salvation.
13 I have not kept back thy loving mercy and truth * from
the great congregation.
14 Withdraw not thou thy mercy from me, O LORD; * let
thy loving-kindness and thy truth alway preserve me.
or
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Psalm 69 “Salvum me fac”
S
AVE me, O God; * for the waters are come in, even
unto my soul.
2 I stick fast in the deep mire, where no ground is; * I am
come into deep waters, so that the floods run over me.
3 I am weary of crying; my throat is dry; * my sight faileth
me for waiting so long upon my God.
4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs
of my head; * they that are mine enemies, and would
destroy me guiltless, are mighty.
5 I paid them the things that I never took: * God, thou
knowest my simpleness, and my faults are not hid from
thee.
6 Let not them that trust in thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be
ashamed for my cause; * let not those that seek thee be
confounded through me, O Lord God of Israel.
7 And why? for thy sake have I suffered reproof; * shame
hath covered my face.
8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, * even an alien
unto my mother's children.
9 For the zeal of thine house hath even eaten me; * and the
rebukes of them that rebuked thee are fallen upon me.
10 I wept, and chastened myself with fasting, * and that
was turned to my reproof.
11 I put on sackcloth also, * and they jested upon me.
12 They that sit in the gate speak against me, * and the
drunkards make songs upon me.
13 But, LORD, I make my prayer unto thee * in an
acceptable time.
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14 Hear me, O God, in the multitude of thy mercy, * even
in the truth of thy salvation.
15 Take me out of the mire, that I sink not; * O let me be
delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep
waters.
16 Let not the water-flood drown me, neither let the deep
swallow me up; * and let not the pit shut her mouth upon
me.
17 Hear me, O LORD, for thy loving-kindness is
comfortable; * turn thee unto me according to the
multitude of thy mercies.
18 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in
trouble: * O haste thee, and hear me.
19 Draw nigh unto my soul, and save it; * O deliver me,
because of mine enemies.
20 Thou hast known my reproach, my shame, and my
dishonour: * mine adversaries are all in thy sight.
21 Reproach hath broken my heart; I am full of heaviness:
* I looked for some to have pity on me, but there was no
man, neither found I any to comfort me.
22 They gave me gall to eat; * and when I was thirsty they
gave me vinegar to drink.
23 Let their table be made a snare to take themselves
withal; * and let the things that should have been for
their wealth be unto them an occasion of falling.
Hebrews 10:1-25
F
or the law, having a shadow of the good things to come
and not the very image of those things, can never, with
those sacrifices which they offered continually year by
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year, make those who come unto it perfect. For then would
not sacrifices have ceased to be offered? For worshipers
once purged should have had no more consciousness of
sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again
made of sins every year, for it is not possible that the blood
of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Therefore
when He cometh into the world, He saith, "Sacrifice and
offering Thou wouldest not have, but a body hast Thou
prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
Thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, `Lo, I come (in the
volume of the Book it is written of Me) to do Thy will, O
God.'" Above when He said, "Sacrifice and offering and
burnt offerings, and offering for sin Thou wouldest not
have, neither hadst pleasure therein" (which are offered in
accordance with the law), then said He, "Lo, I come to do
Thy will, O God," He taketh away the first, that He may
establish the second. By this will we are sanctified through
the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And
every priest standeth daily ministering and offering time
and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away
sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for
sins for ever, sat down at the right hand of God, from
henceforth to wait until His enemies be made His footstool.
For by one offering He hath perfected for ever those who
are sanctified. Of this the Holy Ghost also is a witness to
us; for after He had said before, "This is the covenant that I
will make with them after those days, saith the Lord: I will
put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write
them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no
more." Now where remission of these is, there is no more
offering for sin. Having therefore boldness, brethren, to
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enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and
living Way, which He hath consecrated for us through the
veil (that is to say, His flesh), and having a High Priest over
the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full
assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil
conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us
hold fast to the profession of our faith without wavering
(for He is faithful who promised), and let us consider one
another to provoke unto love and to good works, not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the
manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much
the more as ye see the Day approaching.
Holy Saturday
Job 14:1-14
"Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of
trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; he
fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. And dost Thou
open Thine eyes upon such a one, and bringest me into
judgment with Thee? Who can bring a clean thing out of an
unclean? Not one! Seeing his days are determined, the
number of his months are with Thee; Thou hast appointed
his bounds, that he cannot pass. Turn from him, that he may
rest, till, as a hireling, he shall accomplish his day. For
there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout
again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
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Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock
thereof die in the ground, yet through the scent of water it
will bud and bring forth boughs like a plant. But man dieth
and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where
is he? As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood
decayeth and drieth up, so man lieth down and riseth not;
till the heavens be no more they shall not awake, nor be
raised out of their sleep. "O that Thou wouldest hide me in
the grave, that Thou wouldest keep me secret until Thy
wrath be past; that Thou wouldest appoint me a set time,
and remember me! If a man die, shall he live again? All the
days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Psalms 130 “De profundis”
O
ut of the deep have I called unto thee, O LORD; *
Lord, hear my voice.
2 O let thine ears consider well * the voice of my
complaint.
3 If thou, LORD, wilt be extreme to mark what is done
amiss, * O Lord, who may abide it?
4 For there is mercy with thee; * therefore shalt thou be
feared.
5 I look for the LORD; my soul doth wait for him; * in his
word is my trust.
6 My soul fleeth unto the Lord before the morning watch; *
I say, before the morning watch.
7 O Israel, trust in the LORD; for with the LORD there is
mercy, * and with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he shall redeem Israel * from all his sins.
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or
Psalm 31 “In te, Domine, speravi”
I
N thee, O LORD, have I put my trust; let me never be
put to confusion; * deliver me in thy righteousness.
2 Bow down thine ear to me; * make haste to deliver me.
3 And be thou my strong rock, and house of defence, * that
thou mayest save me.
4 For thou art my strong rock, and my castle: * be thou also
my guide, and lead me for thy Name's sake.
5 Draw me out of the net that they have laid privily for me;
* for thou art my strength.
1 Peter 4:1-8
F
or inasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the
flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind, for
he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin, that
he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to
the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of
our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the
Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess
of wine, revelings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries;
wherein they think it strange that you run not with them to
the same dissolute excess, speaking evil of you, who shall
give account to Him that is ready to judge the quick and the
dead. For, for this cause was the Gospel preached also to
those who are dead, that they might be judged according to
men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But
the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober and
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watch unto prayer. And above all things, have fervent
charity among yourselves, for charity shall cover the
multitude of sins.
Easter Day
The Great Vigil
See pages 204-207 ASB or pages 288-291 BCP
Early Service
Use one of the Old Testament Lessons from the Vigil
with:
Psalm 114 “In exitu Israel”
W
HEN Israel came out of Egypt, * and the house of
Jacob from among the strange people,
2 Judah was his sanctuary, * and Israel his dominion.
3 The sea saw that, and fled; * Jordan was driven back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams, * and the little hills like
young sheep.
5 What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? * and
thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?
6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams? * and ye little
hills, like young sheep?
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7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord: * at the
presence of the God of Jacob;
8 Who turned the hard rock into a standing water,* and the
flint-stone into a springing well.
Romans 6:3-11
K
now ye not that as many of us as were baptized into
Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore
we are buried with Him by baptism into death, that just as
Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For
if we have been planted together in the likeness of His
death, so we shall also be in the likeness of His
resurrection, knowing this: that our old man is crucified
with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that
henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is
freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe
that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, being
raised from the dead, dieth no more; death no more hath
dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin
once; but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise
reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but
alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Principal Service
Acts 10:34-43
T
hen Peter opened his mouth and said, "In truth I
perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but in
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every nation he that feareth Him and worketh righteousness
is accepted by Him. The Word which God sent unto the
children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ (He is
Lord of all) -- that Word, I say, ye know, which was
proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee
after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed
Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, and
how He went about doing good and healing all who were
oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. And we are
witnesses of all things which He did, both in the land of the
Jews and in Jerusalem -- He whom they hanged on a tree
and slew. Him God raised up the third day and showed Him
openly, not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen
before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him
after He rose from the dead. And He commanded us to
preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He who was
ordained by God to be the Judge of the quick and dead. To
Him all the prophets bear witness, that through His name
whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of
sins."
or
Exodus 14:10-14,21-25;15:20-21
A
nd when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel
lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians
marched after them; and they were sore afraid; and the
children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. And they said
unto Moses, "Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast
thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why hast thou
dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this
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the word that we told thee in Egypt, saying, `Let us alone,
that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it had been better for
us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the
wilderness." And Moses said unto the people, "Fear ye not.
Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He
will show to you today; for the Egyptians whom ye have
seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The
LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."
And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the
LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all
that night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were
divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of
the sea upon the dry ground, and the waters were a wall
unto them on their right hand and on their left. And the
Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of
the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his
horsemen. And it came to pass that in the morning watch
the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through
the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of
the Egyptians. And He took off their chariot wheels, that
they drove them heavily, so that the Egyptians said, "Let us
flee from the face of Israel, for the LORD fighteth for them
against the Egyptians." And Miriam the prophetess, the
sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the
women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
And Miriam answered them: "Sing ye to the LORD, for He
hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath He
thrown into the sea!"
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118:14-29 “Confitemini Domino”
T
he LORD is my strength, and my song; * and is
become my salvation.
15 The voice of joy and health is in the dwellings of the
righteous; * the right hand of the LORD bringeth mighty
things to pass.
16 The right hand of the LORD hath the pre-eminence; *
the right hand of the LORD bringeth mighty things to
pass.
17 I shall not die, but live, * and declare the works of the
LORD.
18 The LORD hath chastened and corrected me; * but he
hath not given me over unto death.
19 Open me the gates of righteousness, * that I may go into
them, and give thanks unto the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD, * the righteous shall enter
into it.
21 I will thank thee; for thou hast heard me, * and art
become my salvation.
22 The same stone which the builders refused, * is become
the head-stone in the comer.
23 This is the LORD'S doing, * and it is marvellous in our
eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; * we will
rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Help me now, O LORD: * O LORD, send us now
prosperity.
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the Name of the LORD: *
we have wished you good luck, we that are of the house
of the LORD.
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27 God is the LORD, who hath showed us light: * bind the
sacrifice with cords, yea, even unto the horns of the altar.
28 Thou art my God, and I will thank thee; * thou art my
God, and I will praise thee.
29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is gracious, * and
his mercy endureth for ever.
Colossians 3:1-4
I
f ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which
are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the
earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in
God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall
ye also appear with Him in glory.
or
Acts 10:34-43
T
hen Peter opened his mouth and said, "In truth I
perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but in
every nation he that feareth Him and worketh righteousness
is accepted by Him. The Word which God sent unto the
children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ (He is
Lord of all) -- that Word, I say, ye know, which was
proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee
after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed
Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, and
how He went about doing good and healing all who were
oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. And we are
114
witnesses of all things which He did, both in the land of the
Jews and in Jerusalem -- He whom they hanged on a tree
and slew. Him God raised up the third day and showed Him
openly, not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen
before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him
after He rose from the dead. And He commanded us to
preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He who was
ordained by God to be the Judge of the quick and dead. To
Him all the prophets bear witness, that through His name
whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of
sins."
Evening Service
Acts 5:29a, 30-32
T
hen Peter and the other apostles answered and said,
"We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of
our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a
tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a
Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel and
forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses of these
things, and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath
given to those who obey Him."\
or
Daniels 12:1-3
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince
who standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall
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be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a
nation, even to that same time. And at that time thy people
shall be delivered, every one who shall be found written in
the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the
earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to
shame and everlasting contempt. And they that are wise
shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that
turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Psalm 114 “In exitu Israel”
W
HEN Israel came out of Egypt, * and the house of
Jacob from among the strange people,
2 Judah was his sanctuary, * and Israel his dominion.
3 The sea saw that, and fled; * Jordan was driven back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams, * and the little hills like
young sheep.
5 What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? * and
thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?
6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams? * and ye little
hills, like young sheep?
7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord: * at the
presence of the God of Jacob;
8 Who turned the hard rock into a standing water,* and the
flint-stone into a springing well.
or
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Psalm 136 “Confitemini”
O
GIVE thanks unto the LORD, for he is gracious: *
and his mercy endureth for ever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of all gods: * for his mercy
endureth for ever.
3 O thank the Lord of all lords: * for his mercy endureth for
ever.
4 Who only doeth great wonders: * for his mercy endureth
for ever.
5 Who by his excellent wisdom made the heavens: for his
mercy endureth for ever.
6 Who laid out the earth above the waters: * for his mercy
endureth for ever.
7 Who hath made great lights: * for his mercy endureth for
ever:
8 The sun to rule the day: * for his mercy endureth for ever;
9 The moon and the stars to govern the night: * for his
mercy endureth for ever.
10 Who smote Egypt, with their firstborn: * for his mercy
endureth for ever;
11 And brought out Israel from among them: * for his
mercy endureth for ever;
12 With a mighty hand and stretched-out arm: * for his
mercy endureth for ever.
13 Who divided the Red Sea in two parts: * for his mercy
endureth for ever;
14 And made Israel to go through the midst of it: * for his
mercy endureth for ever.
15 But as for Pharaoh and his host, he overthrew them in
the Red Sea: * for his mercy endureth for ever.
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16 Who led his people through the wilderness: * for his
mercy endureth for ever.
17 Who smote great kings: * for his mercy endureth for
ever;
18 Yea, and slew mighty kings: * for his mercy endureth
for ever:
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites: * for his mercy endureth
for ever;
20 And Og, the king of Bashan: * for his mercy endureth
for ever;
21 And gave away their land for an heritage: * for his
mercy endureth for ever;
22 Even for an heritage unto Israel his servant: * for his
mercy endureth for ever.
23 Who remembered us when we were in trouble: * for his
mercy endureth for ever;
24 And hath delivered us from our enemies: * for his mercy
endureth for ever.
25 Who giveth food to all flesh: * for his mercy endureth
for ever.
26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: * for his mercy
endureth for ever.
27 O give thanks unto the Lord of lords: * for his mercy
endureth for ever
or
Psalm 118;14-17,22-24 “Confitemini Domino”
14 The LORD is my strength, and my song; * and is
become my salvation.
118
15 The voice of joy and health is in the dwellings of the
righteous; * the right hand of the LORD bringeth mighty
things to pass.
16 The right hand of the LORD hath the pre-eminence; *
the right hand of the LORD bringeth mighty things to
pass.
17 I shall not die, but live, * and declare the works of the
LORD.
22 The same stone which the builders refused, * is become
the head-stone in the comer.
23 This is the LORD'S doing, * and it is marvellous in our
eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; * we will
rejoice and be glad in it.
1 Corinthians 5:6b-8
Y
our glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little
leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore
the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are
unleavened. For even Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for
us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven,
neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with
the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
or
Acts 5:29a,30-32
T
hen Peter and the other apostles answered and said,
"We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of
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our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a
tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a
Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel and
forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses of these
things, and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath
given to those who obey Him."
Monday in Easter Week
Acts 2:14, 22b-32
B
ut Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his
voice and said unto them, "Ye men of Judea and all ye
who dwell in Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and
hearken to my words. "Ye men of Israel, hear these words:
Jesus of Nazareth, a Man approved of God among you by
miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did through Him
in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know -- Him,
being delivered by the determinate will and foreknowledge
of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified
and slain. But God hath raised Him up, having loosed the
pains of death, because it was not possible that He should
be held by it. For David speaketh concerning Him: `I
beheld the Lord always before my face, for He is on my
right hand, that I should not be moved. Therefore did my
heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my
flesh shall rest in hope, because Thou wilt not leave my
soul in hell, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see
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corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life;
Thou shalt make me full of joy with Thy countenance.'
"Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the
patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his
sepulcher is with us unto this day. Therefore, being a
prophet and knowing that God had sworn an oath to him
that from the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh He
would raise up Christ to sit on his throne, David, foreseeing
this, spoke concerning the resurrection of Christ that `His
soul was not left in hell, neither did His flesh see
corruption.' This Jesus hath God raised up, of which we are
all witnesses.
Psalms 16:9-12 “Conserva me, Domin”
I
have set the LORD alway before me; * for he is on my
right hand, therefore I shall not fall.
10 Wherefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: *
my flesh also shall rest in hope.
11 For why? thou shalt not leave my soul in hell; * neither
shalt thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption. \
12 Thou shalt show me the path of life: in thy presence is
the fulness of joy, * and at thy right hand there is
pleasure for evermore.
or
Psalm 118:19-24 “Confitemini Domino”
O
pen me the gates of righteousness, * that I may go
into them, and give thanks unto the LORD.
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20 This is the gate of the LORD, * the righteous shall enter
into it.
21 I will thank thee; for thou hast heard me, * and art
become my salvation.
22 The same stone which the builders refused, * is become
the head-stone in the comer.
23 This is the LORD'S doing, * and it is marvellous in our
eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; * we will
rejoice and be glad in it.
Matthew 28:9-15
A
nd as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met
them, saying, "All hail." And they came, and held
Him by the feet, and worshiped Him. Then said Jesus unto
them, "Be not afraid. Go tell My brethren to go into
Galilee, and there shall they see Me." Now when they were
going, behold, some of the guards came into the city and
reported unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
And when they were assembled with the elders and had
taken counsel, they gave a large sum of money unto the
soldiers, saying, "Say ye, `His disciples came by night and
stole him away while we slept.' And if this come to the
governor's ears, we will persuade him and secure you." So
they took the money, and did as they were taught; and this
account is commonly reported among the Jews until this
day
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Tuesday in Easter Week
Acts 2:36-41
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that
God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified,
both Lord and Christ." Now when they heard this, they
were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the
rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
Then Peter said unto them, "Repent and be baptized, every
one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the
promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all who
are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."
And with many other words did he testify and exhort,
saying, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation."
Then those who gladly received his words were baptized,
and that same day there were added unto them about three
thousand souls.
Psalms 33:18-22 “Exultate, justi”
B
ehold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear
him, * and upon them that put their trust in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, * and to feed them in
the time of dearth.
20 Our soul hath patiently tarried for the LORD; * for he is
our help and our shield.
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21 For our heart shall rejoice in him; * because we have
hoped in his holy Name.
22 Let thy merciful kindness, O LORD, be upon us, * like
as we do put our trust in thee.
or
Psalm 118:19-24 “Confitemini Domino”
O
pen me the gates of righteousness, * that I may go
into them, and give thanks unto the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD, * the righteous shall enter
into it.
21 I will thank thee; for thou hast heard me, * and art
become my salvation.
22 The same stone which the builders refused, * is become
the head-stone in the comer.
23 This is the LORD'S doing, * and it is marvellous in our
eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; * we will
rejoice and be glad in it.
John 20:11-18
B
ut Mary stood outside at the sepulcher weeping, and as
she wept she stooped down and looked into the
sepulcher, and saw two angels in white, sitting one at the
head and the other at the feet where the body of Jesus had
lain. And they said unto her, "Woman, why weepest thou?"
She said unto them, "Because they have taken away my
Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him." And
124
when she had thus said, she turned around and saw Jesus
standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus said unto
her, "Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?"
She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said unto Him,
"Sir, if thou have borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast
laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said unto her,
"Mary!" She turned herself and said unto Him, "Rabboni!"
(which is to say, "Master"). Jesus said unto her, "Touch Me
not, for I am not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My
brethren and say unto them, `I ascend unto My Father and
your Father, and to My God and your God.'" Mary
Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen
the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her.
Wednesday in Easter Week
Acts 3:1-10
N
ow Peter and John went up together into the temple at
the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain
man lame from his mother's womb was being carried,
whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple, which is
called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered into
the temple. He, seeing Peter and John about to go into the
temple, asked for alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon
him with John, said, "Look on us." And he gave heed unto
them, expecting to receive something from them. Then
Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have,
125
I give thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up
and walk." And he took him by the right hand and lifted
him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received
strength. And leaping up, he stood and walked and entered
with them into the temple, walking and leaping and
praising God. And all the people saw him walking and
praising God, and they knew that it was he that sat for alms
at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled
with wonder and amazement at that which had happened
unto him.
Psalm 105;1-8 “Confitemini Domin”
G
IVE thanks unto the LORD, and call upon his Name;
* tell the people what things he hath done.
2 O let your songs be of him, and praise him; * and let your
talking be of all his wondrous works.
3 Rejoice in his holy Name; * let the heart of them rejoice
that seek the LORD.
4 Seek the LORD and his strength; * seek his face
evermore.
5 Remember the marvellous works that he hath done; * his
wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, * ye children of Jacob
his chosen.
7 He is the LORD our God; * his judgments are in all the
world.
8 He hath been alway mindful of his covenant and promise,
* that he made to a thousand generations;
or
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Psalm 118:19-24 “Confitemini Domino”
O
pen me the gates of righteousness, * that I may go
into them, and give thanks unto the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD, * the righteous shall enter
into it.
21 I will thank thee; for thou hast heard me, * and art
become my salvation.
22 The same stone which the builders refused, * is become
the head-stone in the comer.
23 This is the LORD'S doing, * and it is marvellous in our
eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; * we will
rejoice and be glad in it.
Luke 24:13-35
A
nd behold, two of them were going that same day to a
village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem
about seven miles. And they talked together of all these
things which had happened. And it came to pass that while
they communed and reasoned together, Jesus Himself drew
near and went with them. But their eyes were held, that
they should not know Him. And He said unto them, "What
manner of communications are these that ye have one to
another as ye walk and are sad?" And one of them, whose
name was Cleopas, answering said unto Him, "Art thou
only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things
which have come to pass there in these days?" And He said
unto them, "What things?" And they said unto Him,
"Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty
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in deed and word before God and all the people; and how
the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be
condemned to death and have crucified Him. But we
trusted that it had been He who should have redeemed
Israel. And besides all this, today is the third day since
these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our
company, who were early at the sepulcher, made us
astonished. And when they found not His body, they came
saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said
that He was alive. And certain of those who were with us
went to the sepulcher and found it even so as the women
had said, but Him they saw not." Then He said unto them,
"O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets
have spoken! Ought not Christ to have suffered these things
and to enter into His glory?" And beginning with Moses
and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the
Scriptures the things concerning Himself. And they drew
nigh unto the village whither they were going, and He
made as though He would have gone further. But they
constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward
evening and the day is far spent." And He went in to tarry
with them. And it came to pass, as He sat at meat with
them, He took bread and blessed it, and broke and gave it to
them. And their eyes were opened and they knew Him. And
He vanished out of their sight. And they said to one
another, "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked
with us on the way and while He opened to us the
Scriptures?" And they rose up that same hour and returned
to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together and
those who were with them, saying, "The Lord is risen
indeed and hath appeared to Simon!" And they told what
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things were done on the way, and how He was known to
them in the breaking of bread.
Thursday in Easter Week
Acts 3:11-26
A
nd as the lame man who had been healed held on to
Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them
in the porch, which is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, "Ye
men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or why look ye so
earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we
had made this man walk? The God of Abraham and of
Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified
His Son Jesus, whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in
the presence of Pilate when he was determined to let Him
go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a
murderer to be granted unto you, and killed the Prince of
Life whom God hath raised from the dead, of which we are
witnesses. And His name, through faith in His name, hath
made this man strong, whom ye see and know. Yea, the
faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect
soundness in the presence of you all. "And now, brethren, I
know that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your
rulers. But those things which God before had shown by
the mouth of all His prophets, that Christ should suffer, He
hath thus fulfilled. Repent ye therefore and be converted,
that your sins may be blotted out when the times of
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refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Then
He shall send Jesus Christ, who before was preached unto
you, whom Heaven must receive until the times of
restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the
mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. For
Moses truly said unto the fathers, `A Prophet shall the Lord
your God raise up unto you from your brethren, like unto
me; Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever He shall say
unto you. And it shall come to pass that every soul who
will not hear that Prophet shall be destroyed from among
the people.' Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and
those who follow after, as many as have spoken, have
likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the
prophets and of the covenant which God made with our
fathers, saying unto Abraham, `And in thy seed shall all the
kindreds of the earth be blessed.' Unto you first, God,
having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you in
turning every one of you away from his iniquities."
Psalms 8 “Domine, Dominus noste”
O
LORD our Governor, how excellent is thy Name in
all the world; * thou that hast set thy glory above the
heavens!
2 Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings hast thou
ordained strength, because of thine enemies, * that thou
mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider thy heavens, even the work of thy
fingers; * the moon and the stars which thou hast
ordained;
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4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? * and the son
of man, that thou visitest him?
5 Thou madest him lower than the angels, * to crown him
with glory and worship.
6 Thou makest him to have dominion of the works of thy
hands; * and thou hast put all things in subjection under
his feet:
7 All sheep and oxen; * yea, and the beasts of the field;
8 The fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea; * and
whatsoever walketh through the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD our Governor, * how excellent is thy Name in
all the world!
or
Psalm 118:19-24 “Confitemini Domino”
O
pen me the gates of righteousness, * that I may go
into them, and give thanks unto the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD, * the righteous shall enter
into it.
21 I will thank thee; for thou hast heard me, * and art
become my salvation.
22 The same stone which the builders refused, * is become
the head-stone in the comer.
23 This is the LORD'S doing, * and it is marvellous in our
eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; * we will
rejoice and be glad in it.
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Luke 24:36b-48
A
nd as they thus spoke, Jesus Himself stood in the
midst of them and said unto them, "Peace be unto
you." But they were terrified and afraid, and supposed that
they had seen a spirit. And He said unto them, "Why are ye
troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold
My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and
see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me to
have." And when He had thus spoken, He showed them His
hands and His feet. And while they yet believed not for joy,
and wondered, He said unto them, "Have ye here any
meat?" And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and of
a honeycomb. And He took it and ate before them. And He
said unto them, "These are the words which I spoke unto
you while I was yet with you, that all things must be
fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and in the
Prophets and in the Psalms concerning Me." Then opened
He their understanding, that they might understand the
Scriptures, and said unto them, "Thus it is written, and thus
it behooved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the
third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should
be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at
Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.
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Friday in Easter Week
Acts 4:1-12
A
nd as they spoke unto the people, the priests and the
captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon
them, being aggrieved that they taught the people and
preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And
they laid hands on them and put them in hold until the next
day, for it was now eventide. However, many of those who
had heard the Word believed, the number of the men being
about five thousand. And it came to pass on the morrow,
that their rulers and elders and scribes, and Annas the high
priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and as many
as were kindred of the high priest, were gathered together
at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in their midst,
they asked, "By what power, or by what name, have ye
done this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said
unto them, "Ye rulers of the people and elders of Israel, if
we this day are examined about the good deed done to the
infirm man, and by what means he is made whole, be it
known unto you all and to all the people of Israel, that by
the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified
and whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this
man stand here before you whole. This is `the stone which
was set at nought by you builders and which has become
the head of the corner.' Neither is there salvation in any
other, for there is no other name under heaven given among
men whereby we must be saved."
133
Psalm 116 “Dilexi, quonia”
M
Y delight is in the LORD; * because he hath heard
the voice of my prayer;
2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me; * therefore will
I call upon him as long as I live.
3 The snares of death compassed me round about, * and the
pains of hell gat hold upon me.
4 I found trouble and heaviness; then called I upon the
Name of the LORD; * O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver
my soul.
5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; * yea, our God is
merciful.
6 The LORD preserveth the simple: * I was in misery, and
he helped me.
7 Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul; * for the LORD
hath rewarded thee.
8 And why? thou hast delivered my soul from death, *
mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
or
Psalm 118:19-24 “Confitemini Domino”
O
pen me the gates of righteousness, * that I may go
into them, and give thanks unto the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD, * the righteous shall enter
into it.
21 I will thank thee; for thou hast heard me, * and art
become my salvation.
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22 The same stone which the builders refused, * is become
the head-stone in the comer.
23 This is the LORD'S doing, * and it is marvellous in our
eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; * we will
rejoice and be glad in it.
John 21:1-14
A
fter these things Jesus showed Himself again to the
disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way
showed He Himself: There were together Simon Peter, and
Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee,
and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of His disciples.
Simon Peter said unto them, "I am going fishing." They
said unto him, "We also go with thee." They went forth and
entered into a boat immediately; and that night they caught
nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood
on the shore, but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
Then Jesus said unto them, "Children, have ye any meat?"
And they answered Him, "No." And He said unto them,
"Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall
find." They cast therefore, and now they were not able to
draw it in for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that
disciple whom Jesus loved said unto Peter, "It is the Lord!"
Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he
girded his fisher's coat unto him (for he was naked) and
cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a
little boat (for they were not far from land, but, as it were,
two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fishes. As soon
then as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals
135
there, and fish laid thereon and bread. Jesus said unto them,
"Bring of the fish which ye have now caught." Simon Peter
went up and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, a
hundred and fifty three; and though there were so many, yet
the net was not broken. Jesus said unto them, "Come and
dine." And none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who art
Thou?" knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and
took bread and gave it to them, and fish likewise. This is
now the third time that Jesus showed Himself to His
disciples after He was risen from the dead.
Saturday in Easter Week
Acts 4:13-21
N
ow when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and
perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men,
they marveled; and they took note concerning them that
they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man who was
healed standing with them, they could say nothing against
it. But when they had commanded them to go outside the
council, they conferred among themselves, saying, "What
shall we do to these men? For indeed, that a notable miracle
hath been done by them is manifest to all those who dwell
in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But so that it spread
no further among the people, let us strictly threaten them,
that they speak henceforth to no man in this name." And
they called them back and commanded them not to speak at
136
all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John
answered and said unto them, "Whether it be right in the
sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God,
judge ye; for we cannot but speak the things which we have
seen and heard." So when they had further threatened them,
they let them go, finding nothing for which they might
punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified
God for that which had been done.
118:14-18 “Confitemini Domino”
T
he LORD is my strength, and my song; * and is
become my salvation.
15 The voice of joy and health is in the dwellings of the
righteous; * the right hand of the LORD bringeth mighty
things to pass.
16 The right hand of the LORD hath the pre-eminence; *
the right hand of the LORD bringeth mighty things to
pass.
17 I shall not die, but live, * and declare the works of the
LORD.
18 The LORD hath chastened and corrected me; * but he
hath not given me over unto death.
or
Psalm 118:19-24 “Confitemini Domino”
O
pen me the gates of righteousness, * that I may go
into them, and give thanks unto the LORD.
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20 This is the gate of the LORD, * the righteous shall enter
into it.
21 I will thank thee; for thou hast heard me, * and art
become my salvation.
22 The same stone which the builders refused, * is become
the head-stone in the comer.
23 This is the LORD'S doing, * and it is marvellous in our
eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; * we will
rejoice and be glad in it.
Mark 16:9-15, 20
N
ow when Jesus was risen early the first day of the
week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of
whom He had cast seven devils. And she went and told
those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.
And they, when they heard that He was alive and had been
seen by her, believed not. After that, He appeared in
another form unto two of them as they walked and went
into the country. And they went and told it unto the rest, but
neither did they believe them. Afterward He appeared unto
the eleven as they sat at meat; and He upbraided them for
their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed
not those who had seen Him after He was risen. And He
said unto them, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the
Gospel to every creature. And they went forth and preached
everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming
the Word with signs following. Amen.
138
Second Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
B
ut Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his
voice and said unto them, "Ye men of Judea and all ye
who dwell in Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and
hearken to my words. "Ye men of Israel, hear these words:
Jesus of Nazareth, a Man approved of God among you by
miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did through Him
in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know -- Him,
being delivered by the determinate will and foreknowledge
of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified
and slain. But God hath raised Him up, having loosed the
pains of death, because it was not possible that He should
be held by it. For David speaketh concerning Him: `I
beheld the Lord always before my face, for He is on my
right hand, that I should not be moved. Therefore did my
heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my
flesh shall rest in hope, because Thou wilt not leave my
soul in hell, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see
corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life;
Thou shalt make me full of joy with Thy countenance.'
"Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the
patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his
sepulcher is with us unto this day. Therefore, being a
prophet and knowing that God had sworn an oath to him
that from the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh He
would raise up Christ to sit on his throne, David, foreseeing
139
this, spoke concerning the resurrection of Christ that `His
soul was not left in hell, neither did His flesh see
corruption.' This Jesus hath God raised up, of which we are
all witnesses.
or
Genesis 8:6-16;9:8-16
A
nd it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah
opened the window of the ark which he had made.
And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until
the waters were dried up from off the earth. Also he sent
forth a dove from him to see if the waters were abated from
off the face of the ground; but the dove found no rest for
the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark,
for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. Then he
put forth his hand and took her, and pulled her in unto him
into the ark. And he stayed yet another seven days, and
again he sent forth the dove out of the ark. And the dove
came in to him in the evening, and lo, in her mouth was an
olive leaf plucked off; so Noah knew that the waters were
abated from off the earth. And he stayed yet another seven
days and sent forth the dove, which returned not again unto
him any more. And it came to pass in the six hundredth and
first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the
waters were dried up from off the earth; and Noah removed
the covering of the ark and looked, and behold, the face of
the ground was dry. And in the second month, on the seven
and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried. And
God spoke unto Noah, saying, "Go forth from the ark, thou
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and thy wife, and thy sons and thy sons' wives with thee.
And God spoke unto Noah and to his sons with him,
saying, "And I, behold, I establish My covenant with you
and with your seed after you, and with every living creature
that is with you -- of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every
beast of the earth with you, from all that go out of the ark to
every beast of the earth. And I will establish My covenant
with you: Neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the
waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to
destroy the earth." And God said, "This is the token of the
covenant which I make between Me and you and every
living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I
do set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token
of a covenant between Me and the earth. And it shall come
to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the
rainbow shall be seen in the cloud. And I will remember
My covenant which is between Me and you and every
living creature of all flesh, and the waters shall no more
become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the rainbow shall
be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may
remember the everlasting covenant between God and every
living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth."
Psalm 111 “Confitebor tibi”
I
WILL give thanks unto the LORD with my whole heart,
* secretly among the faithful, and in the congregation.
2 The works of the LORD are great, * sought out of all
them that have pleasure therein.
3 His work is worthy to be praised and had in honour, * and
his righteousness endureth for ever.
141
4 The merciful and gracious LORD hath so done his
marvellous works, * that they ought to be had in
remembrance.
5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him; * he shall
ever be mindful of his covenant.
6 He hath showed his people the power of his works, * that
he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; * all his
commandments are true.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever, * and are done in truth
and equity.
9 He sent redemption unto his people; * he hath
commanded his covenant for ever; holy and reverend is
his Name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; * a
good understanding have all they that do thereafter; his
praise endureth for ever.
or
Psalm 118:19-24 “Confitemini Domino”
O
pen me the gates of righteousness, * that I may go
into them, and give thanks unto the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD, * the righteous shall enter
into it.
21 I will thank thee; for thou hast heard me, * and art
become my salvation.
22 The same stone which the builders refused, * is become
the head-stone in the comer.
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23 This is the LORD'S doing, * and it is marvellous in our
eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; * we will
rejoice and be glad in it.
1 Peter 1:3-9
B
lessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us
again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled
and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for you, who
are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation
ready to be revealed in the last time. In this ye greatly
rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in
heaviness through manifold temptations, that the trial of
your faith (being much more precious than gold that
perisheth, though it be tested with fire) might be found unto
praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ,
whom having not seen, ye love. In Him, though now ye see
Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and
full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, even the
salvation of your souls.
or
Acts 2:14a,22-32
B
ut Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his
voice and said unto them, "Ye men of Judea and all ye
who dwell in Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and
143
hearken to my words. "Ye men of Israel, hear these words:
Jesus of Nazareth, a Man approved of God among you by
miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did through Him
in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know -- Him,
being delivered by the determinate will and foreknowledge
of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified
and slain. But God hath raised Him up, having loosed the
pains of death, because it was not possible that He should
be held by it. For David speaketh concerning Him: `I
beheld the Lord always before my face, for He is on my
right hand, that I should not be moved. Therefore did my
heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my
flesh shall rest in hope, because Thou wilt not leave my
soul in hell, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see
corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life;
Thou shalt make me full of joy with Thy countenance.'
"Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the
patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his
sepulcher is with us unto this day. Therefore, being a
prophet and knowing that God had sworn an oath to him
that from the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh He
would raise up Christ to sit on his throne, David, foreseeing
this, spoke concerning the resurrection of Christ that `His
soul was not left in hell, neither did His flesh see
corruption.' This Jesus hath God raised up, of which we are
all witnesses.
144
Third Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
B
ut Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his
voice and said unto them, "Ye men of Judea and all ye
who dwell in Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and
hearken to my words. "Therefore let all the house of Israel
know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus, whom
ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Now when they
heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto
Peter and to the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren,
what shall we do?" Then Peter said unto them, "Repent and
be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your
children, and to all who are afar off, even as many as the
Lord our God shall call." And with many other words did
he testify and exhort, saying, "Save yourselves from this
untoward generation." Then those who gladly received his
words were baptized, and that same day there were added
unto them about three thousand souls.
or
Isaiah 43:1-12
B
ut now thus saith the LORD who created thee, O
Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel: "Fear not, for
145
I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name; thou
art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be
with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow
thee. When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be
burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am
the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior; I
gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been
honorable, and I have loved thee; therefore will I give men
for thee and people for thy life. Fear not, for I am with thee;
I will bring thy seed from the east and gather thee from the
west; I will say to the north,` Give up,' and to the south,
`Keep not back.' Bring My sons from far and My daughters
from the ends of the earth, even every one that is called by
My name: For I have created him for My glory; I have
formed him; yea, I have made him." Bring forth the blind
people that have eyes and the deaf that have ears. Let all
the nations be gathered together, and let the people be
assembled. Who among them can declare this and show us
former things? Let them bring forth their witnesses, that
they may be justified; or let them hear and say, "It is truth."
"Ye are My witnesses," saith the LORD, "and My servant
whom I have chosen, that ye may know and believe Me,
and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God
formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the
LORD, and besides Me there is no savior. I have declared
and have saved, and I have shown, when there was no
strange god among you; therefore ye are My witnesses,"
saith the LORD, "that I am God.
146
Psalm 116 “Dilexi, quoniam”
M
Y delight is in the LORD; * because he hath heard
the voice of my prayer;
2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me; * therefore
will I call upon him as long as I live.
3 The snares of death compassed me round about, * and the
pains of hell gat hold upon me.
4 I found trouble and heaviness; then called I upon the
name of the LORD; * O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver
my soul.
5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; * yea, our God is
merciful.
6 The LORD preserveth the simple: * I was in misery, and
he helped me.
7 Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul; * for the LORD
hath rewarded thee.
8 And why? thou hast delivered my soul from death, *
mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9 I will walk before the LORD * in the land of the living.
10 I believed, and therefore will I speak; but I was sore
troubled: * I said in my haste, All men are liars.
11 What reward shall I give unto the LORD * for all the
benefits that he hath done unto me?
12 I will receive the cup of salvation, * and call upon the
Name of the LORD.
13 I will pay my vows now in the presence of all his
people: * right dear in the sight of the LORD is the
death of his saints.
14 Behold, O LORD, how that I am thy servant; * I am thy
servant, and the son of thine handmaid; thou hast
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broken my bonds in sunder.
15 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, * and
will call upon the Name of the LORD.
16 I will pay my vows unto the LORD, in the sight of all
his people, * in the courts of the LORD'S house; even
in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.
1 Peter 1:17-23
A
nd if ye call on the Father, who without respect of
persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass
the time of your sojourning here in fear. For ye know that
ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, such as
silver and gold, from your vain way of living which ye
received by tradition from your fathers, but with the
precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot, who verily was foreordained before the
foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last
times for you. By Him ye believe in God, who raised Him
up from the dead and gave Him glory, that your faith and
hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls
in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love
of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure
heart fervently, being born again, not of corruptible seed,
but of incorruptible, by the Word of God which liveth and
abideth for ever;
or
148
Acts 2:14a,36-47
B
ut Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his
voice and said unto them, "Ye men of Judea and all ye
who dwell in Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and
hearken to my words. "Therefore let all the house of Israel
know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus, whom
ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Now when they
heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto
Peter and to the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren,
what shall we do?" Then Peter said unto them, "Repent and
be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your
children, and to all who are afar off, even as many as the
Lord our God shall call." And with many other words did
he testify and exhort, saying, "Save yourselves from this
untoward generation." Then those who gladly received his
words were baptized, and that same day there were added
unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued
steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in
the breaking of bread and in prayers. And fear came upon
every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the
apostles. And all who believed were together and had all
things in common, and they sold their possessions and
goods and divided them among all men, as every man had
need. And continuing daily with one accord in the temple,
and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their meat
with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and
having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the
church daily such as should be saved.
149
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a,51-60
A
nd in those days when the number of the disciples was
multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians
against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected
in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the
multitude of the disciples unto them and said, "It is not
fitting that we should leave the Word of God to serve
tables. Therefore, brethren, look ye out among you for
seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and
wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we
will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry
of the Word." And the saying pleased the whole multitude.
And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy
Ghost, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor, and Timon
and Parmenas and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch, whom
they set before the apostles. And when they had prayed,
they laid their hands on them. And the Word of God
increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in
Jerusalem greatly, and a great company of the priests were
obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power,
did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then
there arose certain from the synagogue which is called the
Synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians and
Alexandrians, and those of Cilicia and of Asia, and they
disputed with Stephen. And Stephen said, "Men, brethren
and fathers, hearken! The God of glory appeared unto our
150
father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he
dwelt in Haran, "Ye stiffnecked people, uncircumcised in
heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost! As your
fathers did, so do ye! Which of the prophets have your
fathers not persecuted? And they have slain those who
foretold the coming of the Just One. Of Him ye have now
been the betrayers and murderers, ye who have received the
law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it."
When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart,
and they gnashed with their teeth at him. But he, being full
of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and
saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand
of God, and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and
the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." Then
they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and
ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city
and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes
at the feet of a young man whose name was Saul. And they
stoned Stephen as he called upon God and said, "Lord
Jesus, receive my spirit!" And he kneeled down and cried
with a loud voice, "Lord, charge not this sin against them."
And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
or
Nehemiah 9:6-15
T
hou, even Thou, art LORD alone; Thou hast made
heaven, the heaven of heavens with all their host, the
earth and all things that are therein, the seas and all that is
therein; and Thou preservest them all; and the host of
151
heaven worshipeth Thee. Thou art the LORD the God, who
didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of
the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham; and
foundest his heart faithful before Thee, and madest a
covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the
Hittites, the Amorites and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites
and the Girgashites--to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast
performed Thy words, for Thou art righteous" and didst see
the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry
by the Red Sea; and showedst signs and wonders upon
Pharaoh and on all his servants and on all the people of his
land. For Thou knewest that they dealt proudly against
them. So didst Thou get Thee a name, as it is this day. And
Thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went
through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their
persecutors Thou threwest into the deep, as a stone into the
mighty waters. Moreover Thou leddest them in the day by a
cloudy pillar, and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give
them light in the way wherein they should go. Thou camest
down also upon Mount Sinai and spokest with them from
heaven, and gavest them right judgments and true laws,
good statutes and commandments; and madest known unto
them Thy holy Sabbath, and commandedst them precepts,
statutes, and laws by the hand of Moses Thy servant; and
gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and
broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their
thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to
possess the land which Thou hadst sworn to give them.
152
Psalm 23 “Dominus regit me”
T
HE LORD is my shepherd; * therefore can I lack
nothing.
2 He shall feed me in a green pasture, * and lead me forth
beside the waters of comfort.
3 He shall convert my soul, * and bring me forth in the
paths of righteousness for his Name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil; * for thou art with me; thy
rod and thy staff comfort me.
5 Thou shalt prepare a table before me in the presence of
them that rouble me; * thou hast anointed my head
with oil, and my cup shall be full.
6 Surely thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all
the days of my life; * and I will dwell in the house of
the LORD for ever.
1 Peter 2:19-25
F
or this is thankworthy: if a man, because of his
conscience toward God, endure grief, suffering
wrongfully. For what glory is it if, when ye be buffeted for
your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if when ye do
well and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable
with God. For even unto this were ye called, because
Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye
should follow His steps, "who did no sin, neither was guile
found in His mouth"; who when He was reviled, reviled not
in return; when He suffered, He threatened not, but
committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously; who
153
His own self bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that
we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by
whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going
astray, but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop
of your souls.
or
Acts 6:1-9;7:2a,51-60
A
nd in those days when the number of the disciples was
multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians
against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected
in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the
multitude of the disciples unto them and said, "It is not
fitting that we should leave the Word of God to serve
tables. Therefore, brethren, look ye out among you for
seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and
wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we
will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry
of the Word." And the saying pleased the whole multitude.
And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy
Ghost, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor, and Timon
and Parmenas and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch, whom
they set before the apostles. And when they had prayed,
they laid their hands on them. And the Word of God
increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in
Jerusalem greatly, and a great company of the priests were
obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power,
did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then
there arose certain from the synagogue which is called the
154
Synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians and
Alexandrians, and those of Cilicia and of Asia, and they
disputed with Stephen. And Stephen said, "Men, brethren
and fathers, hearken! The God of glory appeared unto our
father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he
dwelt in Haran, "Ye stiffnecked people, uncircumcised in
heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost! As your
fathers did, so do ye! Which of the prophets have your
fathers not persecuted? And they have slain those who
foretold the coming of the Just One. Of Him ye have now
been the betrayers and murderers, ye who have received the
law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it."
When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart,
and they gnashed with their teeth at him. But he, being full
of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and
saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand
of God, and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and
the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." Then
they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and
ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city
and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes
at the feet of a young man whose name was Saul. And they
stoned Stephen as he called upon God and said, "Lord
Jesus, receive my spirit!" And he kneeled down and cried
with a loud voice, "Lord, charge not this sin against them."
And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
155
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Acts 17:1-15
N
ow when they had passed through Amphipolis and
Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica where there was
a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul, as was his custom,
went in unto them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned
with them from the Scriptures, expounding and alleging
that it was necessary for Christ to have suffered and risen
again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I
preach unto you is Christ." And some of them believed, and
joined themselves with Paul and Silas, as did a great
multitude of the devout Greeks, and of the chief women not
a few. But the Jews who believed not, moved with envy,
engaged certain wicked fellows of the baser sort, and
gathered a crowd and set all the city in an uproar, and
assaulted the house of Jason and sought to bring them out
to the people. And when they found them not, they dragged
Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city,
crying, "These that have turned the world upside down
have come hither also, and Jason hath received them; and
they all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that
there is another king, one Jesus." And they troubled the
people and the rulers of the city when they heard these
things. And when they had taken security from Jason and
the others, they let them go. And the brethren immediately
sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea, who arriving
there, went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were
156
more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received
the Word with allreadiness of mind and searched the
Scriptures daily to see whether those things were so.
Therefore many of them believed, also honorable women
who were Greeks, and of men not a few. But when the Jews
of Thessalonica became aware that the Word of God was
preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred
up the people. And then immediately the brethren sent
away Paul to go down to the sea, but Silas and Timothy
remained there still. And those who conducted Paul
brought him unto Athens and, having received direction for
Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they
departed.
or
Deuteronomy 6:20-25
"And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying,
`What mean the testimonies and the statutes and the
judgments which the LORD our God hath commanded
you?' then thou shalt say unto thy son: `We were Pharaoh's
bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt
with a mighty hand. And the LORD showed signs and
wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and
upon all his household, before our eyes; and He brought us
out from thence, that He might bring us in, to give us the
land which He swore unto our fathers. And the LORD
commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD
our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us
alive, as it is at this day. And it shall be our righteousness,
157
if we observe to do all these commandments before the
LORD our God, as He hath commanded us.'
Psalm 66:1-11 “Jubilate Deo”
O
BE joyful in God, all ye lands; * sing praises unto the
honour of his Name; make his praise to be glorious.
2 Say unto God, O how wonderful art thou in thy works! *
through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies
bow down unto thee.
3 For all the world shall worship the, * sing of thee, and
praise thy Name.
4 O come hither, and behold the works of God; * how
wonderful he is in his doing toward the children of men.
5 He turned the sea into dry land, * so that they went
through the water on foot; there did we rejoice thereof.
6 He ruleth with his power for ever; his eyes behold the
nations: * and such as will not believe shall not be able
to exalt themselves.
7 O praise our God, ye peoples, * and make the voice of his
praise to be heard;
8 Who holdeth our soul in life; * and suffereth not our feet
to slip.
9 For thou, O God, hast proved us; * thou also hast tried us,
like as silver is tried.
10 Thou broughtest us into the snare; * and laidest trouble
upon our loins.
11 Thou sufferedst men to ride over our heads; * we went
through fire and water, and thou broughtest us out into a
wealthy place.
158
1 Peter 2:1-10
T
herefore laying aside all malice and all guile, and
hypocrisy and envy and all evil speaking, as newborn
babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may
grow thereby, if so it be that ye have tasted that the Lord is
gracious. Coming to Him as unto a living stone, disallowed
indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, ye also as
living stones are built up a spiritual house, a holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
by Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the
Scripture: "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect,
precious; and he that believeth in Him shall not be
confounded." Unto you therefore who believe, He is
precious; but unto those who are disobedient, "The stone
which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head
of the corner," and, "A stone of stumbling and a rock of
offense," even to those who stumble at the Word, being
disobedient, unto which also they were appointed. But ye
are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of
Him who hath called you out of darkness into His
marvelous light. In times past ye were not a people, but are
now the people of God; who had not obtained mercy, but
now have obtained mercy.
or
159
Acts 17:1-15
N
ow when they had passed through Amphipolis and
Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica where there was
a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul, as was his custom,
went in unto them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned
with them from the Scriptures, expounding and alleging
that it was necessary for Christ to have suffered and risen
again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I
preach unto you is Christ." And some of them believed, and
joined themselves with Paul and Silas, as did a great
multitude of the devout Greeks, and of the chief women not
a few. But the Jews who believed not, moved with envy,
engaged certain wicked fellows of the baser sort, and
gathered a crowd and set all the city in an uproar, and
assaulted the house of Jason and sought to bring them out
to the people. And when they found them not, they dragged
Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city,
crying, "These that have turned the world upside down
have come hither also, and Jason hath received them; and
they all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that
there is another king, one Jesus." And they troubled the
people and the rulers of the city when they heard these
things. And when they had taken security from Jason and
the others, they let them go. And the brethren immediately
sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea, who arriving
there, went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were
more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received
the Word with allreadiness of mind and searched the
Scriptures daily to see whether those things were so.
Therefore many of them believed, also honorable women
160
who were Greeks, and of men not a few. But when the Jews
of Thessalonica became aware that the Word of God was
preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred
up the people. And then immediately the brethren sent
away Paul to go down to the sea, but Silas and Timothy
remained there still. And those who conducted Paul
brought him unto Athens and, having received direction for
Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they
departed.
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 17:22-31
T
hen Paul stood in the midst of Mars' Hill and said, "Ye
men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too
superstitious. For as I passed by and beheld your devotions,
I found an altar with this inscription: `To the Unknown
God'. Whom therefore ye worship in ignorance, Him I
declare unto you. God who made the world and all things
therein, seeing that He is Lord of Heaven and earth,
dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Neither is He
worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed
anything, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all
things. And He hath made of one blood all nations of men
to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined
the times before appointed, and the bounds of their
habitation, that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they
might feel after Him and find Him, though He be not far
161
from every one of us. For in Him we live, and move, and
have our being; as also certain of your own poets have said,
`For we are also His offspring.' "For inasmuch, then, as we
are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the
Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone, graven by art
and of man's devising. The times of this ignorance God
overlooked, but now He commandeth all men everywhere
to repent, because He hath appointed a Day in which He
will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom
He hath ordained. Of this He hath given assurance unto all
men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead."
or
Isaiah 41:17-20
"When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none
and their tongue faileth for thirst, I, the LORD, will hear
them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open
rivers in high places and fountains in the midst of the
valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the
dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the
cedar, the acacia tree, and the myrtle and the oil tree; I will
set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine and the box tree
together, that they may see and know, and consider and
understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done
this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.
162
Psalm 148 “Laudate Dominum”
O
PRAISE the LORD from the heavens: * praise him in
the heights.
2 Praise him, all ye angels of his: * praise him, all his host.
3 Praise him, sun and moon: * praise him, all ye stars and
light.
4 Praise him, all ye heavens, * and ye waters that are above
the heavens.
5 Let them praise the Name of the LORD: * for he spake
the word, and they were made; he commanded, and they
were created.
6 He hath made them fast for ever and ever: * he hath given
them a law which shall not be broken.
7 Praise the LORD from the earth, * ye dragons and all
deeps;
8 Fire and hail, snow and vapours, * wind and storm,
fulfilling his word;
9 Mountains and all hills; * fruitful trees and all cedars;
10 Beasts and all cattle; * creeping things and flying fowls;
11 Kings of the earth, and all peoples; * princes, and all
judges of the world;
12 Young men and maidens, old men and children, praise
the Name of the LORD: * for his Name only is excellent,
and his praise above heaven and earth.
13 He shall exalt the horn of his people: all his saints shall
praise him; * even the children of Israel, even the people
that serveth him.
163
1 Peter 3:8-18
F
inally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one
for another. Love each other as brethren, be
sympathetic, be courteous, not rendering evil for evil, or
railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing, knowing that
ye are called thereto, that ye might inherit a blessing. For,
"He that would love life and see good days, let him refrain
his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.
Let him eschew evil and do good; let him seek peace and
pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous,
and His ears are open unto their prayers; but the face of the
Lord is against them that do evil." And who is he that will
harm you if ye be followers of that which is good? But if ye
suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye. "And be not
afraid of their terror; neither be troubled." But sanctify the
Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an
answer to every man who asketh you a reason for the hope
that is in you, with meekness and fear. Have a good
conscience, that, whereas they speak evil of you as of
evildoers, they who falsely accuse may be ashamed by your
good manner of life in Christ. For it is better, if the will of
God be so, that ye suffer for well doing than for evildoing.
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the
unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in
the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit,
or
164
Acts 17:22-31
T
hen Paul stood in the midst of Mars' Hill and said, "Ye
men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too
superstitious. For as I passed by and beheld your devotions,
I found an altar with this inscription: `To the Unknown
God'. Whom therefore ye worship in ignorance, Him I
declare unto you. God who made the world and all things
therein, seeing that He is Lord of Heaven and earth,
dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Neither is He
worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed
anything, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all
things. And He hath made of one blood all nations of men
to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined
the times before appointed, and the bounds of their
habitation, that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they
might feel after Him and find Him, though He be not far
from every one of us. For in Him we live, and move, and
have our being; as also certain of your own poets have said,
`For we are also His offspring.' "For inasmuch, then, as we
are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the
Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone, graven by art
and of man's devising. The times of this ignorance God
overlooked, but now He commandeth all men everywhere
to repent, because He hath appointed a Day in which He
will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom
He hath ordained. Of this He hath given assurance unto all
men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead."
165
Ascension Day
Acts 1:1-11
I
n the former treatise, O Theophilus, I have given an
account of all that Jesus began both to do and teach until
the day in which He was taken up, after He had given
commandments through the Holy Ghost unto the apostles,
whom He had chosen. To these also He showed Himself
alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being
seen by them forty days, and speaking of the things
pertaining to the Kingdom of God. And being assembled
together with them, He commanded them that they should
not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the
Father, "which," saith He, "ye have heard from Me; for
John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized
with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." When they
therefore had come together, they asked of Him, saying,
"Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to
Israel?" And He said unto them, "It is not for you to know
the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in His
own power. But ye shall receive power after the Holy
Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me
both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria, and
unto the uttermost part of the earth." And when He had
spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up,
and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they
looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold,
two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said,
166
"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?
This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into Heaven,
shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into
Heaven."
or
Daniel 7:9-14
"I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient
of Days sat down, whose garment was white as snow and
the hair of His head like the pure wool. His throne was like
the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. A fiery
stream issued and came forth from before Him. Thousand
thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten
thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the
books were opened. "I beheld then because of the voice of
the great words which the horn spoke; I beheld even till the
beast was slain, and his body destroyed and given to the
burning flame. As concerning the rest of the beasts, they
had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were
prolonged for a season and time. "I saw in the night visions,
and behold, one like the Son of Man came with the clouds
of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they
brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him
dominion and glory and a Kingdom, that all people,
nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is
an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and
His Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
167
Psalm 47 “Omnes gentes, plaudite”
C
LAP your hands together, all ye peoples: * O sing
unto God with the voice of melody.
2 For the LORD is high, and to be feared; * he is the great
King upon all the earth.
3 He shall subdue the peoples under us, * and the nations
under our feet.
4 He shall choose out an heritage for us, * even the
excellency of Jacob, whom he loved.
5 God is gone up with a merry noise, * and the LORD with
the sound of the trump.
6 O sing praises, sing praises unto our God; * O sing
praises, sing praises unto our King.
7 For God is the King of all the earth: * sing ye praises with
understanding.
8 God reigneth over the nations; * God sitteth upon his
holy seat.
9 The princes of the peoples are joined unto the people of
the God of Abraham; * for God, which is very high
exalted, doth defend the earth, as it were with a shield.
or
Psalm 110:1-5 “Dixit Dominus”
he Lord said unto my Lord, * Sit thou on my right
hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy power out of
Sion: * be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine
enemies.
T
168
3 In the day of thy power shall thy people offer themselves
willingly with an holy worship: * thy young men come
to thee as dew from the womb of the morning.
4 The LORD sware, and will not repent, * Thou art a Priest
for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
5 The Lord upon thy right hand * shall wound even kings
in the day of his wrath.
Ephesians 1:15-23
T
herefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord
Jesus and your love for all the saints, cease not to give
thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. I
pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and
revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your
understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is
the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory
of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding
greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to
the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in
Christ when He raised Him from the dead and set Him at
His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all
principality and power and might and dominion, and every
name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that
which is to come. And God hath put all things under His
feet, and hath given Him to be the head over all things to
the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that
filleth all in all.
or
169
Acts 1:1-11
I
n the former treatise, O Theophilus, I have given an
account of all that Jesus began both to do and teach until
the day in which He was taken up, after He had given
commandments through the Holy Ghost unto the apostles,
whom He had chosen. To these also He showed Himself
alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being
seen by them forty days, and speaking of the things
pertaining to the Kingdom of God. And being assembled
together with them, He commanded them that they should
not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the
Father, "which," saith He, "ye have heard from Me; for
John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized
with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." When they
therefore had come together, they asked of Him, saying,
"Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to
Israel?" And He said unto them, "It is not for you to know
the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in His
own power. But ye shall receive power after the Holy
Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me
both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria, and
unto the uttermost part of the earth." And when He had
spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up,
and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they
looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold,
two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said,
"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?
This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into Heaven,
shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into
Heaven."
170
Seventh Sunday of Easter: Sunday
after Ascension
Acts 1:1-14
I
n the former treatise, O Theophilus, I have given an
account of all that Jesus began both to do and teach until
the day in which He was taken up, after He had given
commandments through the Holy Ghost unto the apostles,
whom He had chosen. To these also He showed Himself
alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being
seen by them forty days, and speaking of the things
pertaining to the Kingdom of God. And being assembled
together with them, He commanded them that they should
not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the
Father, "which," saith He, "ye have heard from Me; for
John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized
with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." When they
therefore had come together, they asked of Him, saying,
"Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to
Israel?" And He said unto them, "It is not for you to know
the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in His
own power. But ye shall receive power after the Holy
Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me
both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria, and
unto the uttermost part of the earth." And when He had
spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up,
and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they
looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold,
171
two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said,
"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?
This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into Heaven,
shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into
Heaven." Then they returned unto Jerusalem from the
mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath
day's journey. And when they had come in, they went up
into an upper room where abode both Peter and James, and
John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and
Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot,
and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with
one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and
Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren.
or
Ezekiel 39:21-29
"And I will set My glory among the heathen, and all the
heathen shall see My judgment that I have executed and
My hand that I have laid upon them. So the house of Israel
shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and
forward. And the heathen shall know that the house of
Israel went into captivity for their iniquity. Because they
trespassed against Me, therefore hid I My face from them
and gave them into the hand of their enemies; so fell they
all by the sword. According to their uncleanness and
according to their transgressions have I done unto them,
and hid My face from them. "Therefore thus saith the Lord
GOD: Now will I bring back the captives of Jacob, and
have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be
172
jealous for My holy name after they have borne their shame
and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed
against Me, when they dwelt safely in their land and none
made them afraid. When I have brought them back from
the people and gathered them out of their enemies' lands,
and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations, then
shall they know that I am the LORD their God, who caused
them to be led into captivity among the heathen. But I have
gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of
them any more there; neither will I hide My face any more
from them, for I have poured out My Spirit upon the house
of Israel, saith the Lord GOD."
Psalm 68:1-20 “Exsurgat Deus”
L
et God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; *
let them also that hate him flee before him.
2 Like as the smoke vanisheth, so shalt thou drive them
away; * and like as wax melteth at the fire, so let the
ungodly perish at the presence of God.
3 But let the righteous be glad, and rejoice bfore God; * let
them also be merry and joyful.
4 O sing unto God, and sing praises unto his Name;
magnify him that rideth upon the heavens; * praise him
in his Name JAH, and rejoice before him.
5 He is a Father of the fatherless, and defendeth the cause
of the widows; * even God in his holy habitation.
6 He is the God that maketh men to be of one mind in an
house, and bringeth the prisoners out of captivity; *
but letteth the runagates continue in scarceness.
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7 O God, when thou wentest forth before the people; *
when thou wentest through the ilderness,
8 The earth shook, and the heavens dropped at the presence
of God; * even as Sinai also was moved at the presence
of God, who is the God of Israel.
9 Thou, O God, sentest a gracious rain upon thine
inheritance, * and refreshedst it when it was weary.
10 Thy congregation shall dwell therein; * for thou, O God,
hast of thy goodness prepared for the poor.
11 The Lord gave the word; * great was the company of
women that bare the tidings.
12 Kings with their armies did flee, and were discomfited,
* and they of the household divided the spoil.
13 Though ye have lain among the sheep-folds, yet shall ye
be as the wings of a dove * that is covered with silver
wings, and her feathers like gold.
14 When the Almighty scattered kings for their sake, * then
were they as white as snow in Salmon.
15 As the hill of Bashan, so is God's hill; * even an high
hill, as the hill of Bashan.
16 Why mock ye so, ye high hills? this is God's hill, in the
which it pleaseth him to dwell; * yea, the LORD will
abide in it for ever.
17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even
thousands of angels; * and the Lord is among them as in
the holy place of Sinai.
18 Thou art gone up on high, thou hast led captivity
captive, and received gifts from men; * yea, even from
thine enemies, that the LORD God might dwell among
them.
174
19 Praised be the Lord daily, * even the God who helpeth
us, and poureth his benefits upon us.
20 He is our God, even the God of whom cometh salvation:
* GOD is the Lord, by whom we escape death.
or
Psalm 47 “Omnes gentes, plaudite”
C
lap your hands together, all ye peoples: * O sing unto
God with the voice of melody.
2 For the LORD is high, and to be feared; * he is the great
King upon all the earth.
3 He shall subdue the peoples under us, * and the nations
under our feet.
4 He shall choose out an heritage for us, * even the
excellency of Jacob, whom he loved.
5 God is gone up with a merry noise, * and the LORD with
the sound of the trump.
6 O sing praises, sing praises unto our God; * O sing
praises, sing praises unto our King.
7 For God is the King of all the earth: * sing ye praises with
understanding.
8 God reigneth over the nations; * God sitteth upon his
holy seat.
9 The princes of the peoples are joined unto the people of
the God of Abraham; * for God, which is very high
exalted, doth defend the earth, as it were with a shield.
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1 Peter 4:12-19
B
eloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial
which is to try you, as though some strange thing
happened unto you; but rejoice inasmuch as ye are
partakers of Christ's sufferings, that, when His glory shall
be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye
be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, for the
Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. On their part
evil is spoken of Him, but on your part He is glorified. But
let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an
evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if
any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but
let him glorify God on this account. For the time has come
that judgment must begin at the house of God. And if it
first begin with us, what shall the end be of those who obey
not the Gospel of God? And, "If the righteous scarcely be
saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God
commit the keeping of their souls to Him in welldoing, as
unto a faithful Creator.
or
Acts 1:1-14
I
n the former treatise, O Theophilus, I have given an
account of all that Jesus began both to do and teach until
the day in which He was taken up, after He had given
commandments through the Holy Ghost unto the apostles,
whom He had chosen. To these also He showed Himself
176
alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being
seen by them forty days, and speaking of the things
pertaining to the Kingdom of God. And being assembled
together with them, He commanded them that they should
not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the
Father, "which," saith He, "ye have heard from Me; for
John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized
with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." When they
therefore had come together, they asked of Him, saying,
"Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to
Israel?" And He said unto them, "It is not for you to know
the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in His
own power. But ye shall receive power after the Holy
Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me
both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria, and
unto the uttermost part of the earth." And when He had
spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up,
and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they
looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold,
two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said,
"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?
This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into Heaven,
shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into
Heaven." Then they returned unto Jerusalem from the
mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath
day's journey. And when they had come in, they went up
into an upper room where abode both Peter and James, and
John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and
Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot,
and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with
177
one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and
Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren.
Day of Pentecost
Early or Vigil Service
Genesis 11:1-9
A
nd the whole earth was of one language, and of one
speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from
the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and
they dwelt there. And they said one to another, "Come, let
us make bricks and burn them thoroughly." And they had
brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. And they
said, "Come, let us build us a city and a tower whose top
may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we
be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." And
the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which
the children of men built. And the LORD said, "Behold, the
people are one and they have all one language, and this
they begin to do; and now nothing will be withheld from
them which they have imagined to do. Come, let Us go
down, and there confound their language, that they may not
understand one another's speech." So the LORD scattered
them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth; and
they left off building the city. Therefore is the name of it
called Babel [that is, Confusion], because the LORD did
178
there confound the language of all the earth; and from
thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of
all the earth.
or
Exodus 19:1-9a,16-20a;20:18-20
I
n the third month after the children of Israel had gone
forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they
into the Wilderness of Sinai. For they had departed from
Rephidim, and had come to the desert of Sinai and had
pitched camp in the wilderness; and there Israel camped
before the mount. And Moses went up unto God, and the
LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, "Thus
shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of
Israel: `Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and
how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you unto
Myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed
and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure
unto Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And ye
shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'
These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the
children of Israel." And Moses came and called for the
elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these
words which the LORD commanded him. And all the
people answered together and said, "All that the LORD
hath spoken we will do." And Moses returned the words of
the people unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto
Moses, "Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the
people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee
179
for ever." And Moses told the words of the people unto the
LORD. And it came to pass on the third day in the
morning, that there were thunders and lightnings and a
thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet
exceeding loud, so that all the people who were in the camp
trembled. And Moses brought forth the people out of the
camp to meet with God, and they stood at the nether part of
the mount. And Mount Sinai was altogether in smoke,
because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and the
smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the
whole mount quaked greatly. And when the voice of the
trumpet sounded long and waxed louder and louder, Moses
spoke, and God answered him by a voice. And the LORD
came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mount; and
the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount, and
Moses went up. And all the people saw the thunderings and
the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet and the
mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they
removed and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses,
"Speak thou with us and we will hear; but let not God
speak with us, lest we die." And Moses said unto the
people, "Fear not; for God has come to test you, and that
His fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not."
or
Ezekiel 37:1-14
T
he hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me
out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the
midst of the valley which was full of bones, and caused me
180
to pass by them round about; and behold, there were very
many in the open valley, and lo, they were very dry. And
He said unto me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I
answered, "O Lord GOD, Thou knowest." Again He said
unto me, "Prophesy upon these bones and say unto them,
`O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith
the Lord GOD unto these bones: Behold, I will cause
breath to enter into you, and ye shall live. And I will lay
sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and
cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall
live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.'" So I
prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there
was a noise, and behold, a shaking, and the bones came
together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the
sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin
covered them above; but there was no breath in them. Then
said He unto me, "Prophesy unto the wind. Prophesy, son
of man, and say to the wind, `Thus saith the Lord GOD:
Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon
these slain, that they may live.'" So I prophesied as He
commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they
lived and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
Then He said unto me, "Son of man, these bones are the
whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, `Our bones are
dried and our hope is lost. We are cut off from our parts.'
Therefore prophesy and say unto them, `Thus saith the
Lord GOD: Behold, O My people, I will open your graves
and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you
into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the
LORD when I have opened your graves, O My people, and
brought you up out of your graves, and shall put My Spirit
181
in you and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own
land. Then shall ye know that I, the LORD, have spoken it
and performed it, saith the LORD.'"
or
Joel 2:28-32
"And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My
Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters
shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your
young men shall see visions; and also upon the servants and
upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My Spirit.
"And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth-blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned
into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and
the terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to
pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD
shall be delivered; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall
be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant
whom the LORD shall call.
Psalm 33:12-22 “Exultate, justi”
B
lessed are the people whose God is the Lord
JEHOVAH; * and blessed are the folk that he hath
chosen to him, to be his inheritance.
13 The LORD looketh down from heaven, and beholdeth
all the children of men; * from the habitation of his
dwelling, he considereth all them that dwell on the earth.
182
14 He fashioneth all the hearts of them, * and
understandeth all their works.
15 There is no king that can be saved by the multitude of an
host; * neither is any mighty man delivered by much
strength.
16 A horse is counted but a vain thing to save a man; *
neither shall he deliver any man by his great strength.
17 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear
him, * and upon them that put their trust in his mercy;
18 To deliver their soul from death, * and to feed them in
the time of dearth.
19 Our soul hath patiently tarried for the LORD; * for he is
our help and our shield.
20 For our heart shall rejoice in him; * because we have
hoped in his holy Name.
21 Let thy merciful kindness, O LORD, be upon us, * like
as we do put our trust in thee.
or
Psalms 130 “De profundis”
O
UT of the deep have I called unto thee, O LORD; *
Lord, hear my voice.
2 O let thine ears consider well * the voice of my
complaint.
3 If thou, LORD, wilt be extreme to mark what is done
amiss, * O Lord, who may abide it?
4 For there is mercy with thee; * therefore shalt thou be
feared.
183
5 I look for the LORD; my soul doth wait for him; * in his
word is my trust.
6 My soul fleeth unto the Lord before the morning watch; *
I say, before the morning watch.
7 O Israel, trust in the LORD; for with the LORD there is
mercy, * and with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he shall redeem Israel * from all his sins.
or
Psalm 104:24-31“ Benedic, anima mea”
O
LORD, how manifold are thy works! * in wisdom
hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches.
25 So is the great and wide sea also; * wherein are things
creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
26 There go the ships, and there is that leviathan, * whom
thou hast made to take his pastime therein.
27 These wait all upon thee, * that thou mayest give them
meat in due season.
28 When thou givest it them, they gather it; * and when
thou openest thy hand, they are filled with good.
29 When thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: * when
thou takest away their breath, they die, and are turned
again to their dust.
30 When thou lettest thy breath go forth, they shall be
made; * and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
31 The glorious majesty of the LORD shall endure for ever;
* the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
184
Acts 2:1-11
A
nd when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they
were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly
there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty
wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues as of fire,
and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with
the Holy Ghost and began to speak in other tongues, as the
Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at
Jerusalem Jews, devout men out of every nation under
heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude
came together and were confounded, because every man
heard them speaking in his own language. And they were
all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, "Behold,
are not all these who speak Galileans? And how then do we
each hear them speaking in our own tongue wherein we
were born? Parthians, Medes, Elamites and the dwellers in
Mesopotamia, and in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and
Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and in the parts of
Libya about Cyrene, and strangers from Rome, both Jews
and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians -- we hear them speak
in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."
or
Romans 8:14-17,22-27
F
or as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the
sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of
bondage again to fear, but ye have received the Spirit of
185
adoption, whereby we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit itself
beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of
God; and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and joint
heirs with Christ, if so it be that we suffer with Him, that
we may be also glorified together. For we know that the
whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until
now. And not only they, but ourselves also, who have the
firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within
ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption
of our body. For we are saved by hope; but hope that is
seen is not hope, for what a man seeth, why doth he yet
hope for it? But if we hope for that which we see not, then
do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also
helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should
pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself maketh
intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind
of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints
according to the will of God.
Principal Service
Acts 2:1-11
A
nd when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they
were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly
there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty
wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues as of fire,
and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with
the Holy Ghost and began to speak in other tongues, as the
Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at
186
Jerusalem Jews, devout men out of every nation under
heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude
came together and were confounded, because every man
heard them speaking in his own language. And they were
all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, "Behold,
are not all these who speak Galileans? And how then do we
each hear them speaking in our own tongue wherein we
were born? Parthians, Medes, Elamites and the dwellers in
Mesopotamia, and in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and
Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and in the parts of
Libya about Cyrene, and strangers from Rome, both Jews
and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians -- we hear them speak
in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."
or
Ezekiel 11:17-20
T
herefore say, `Thus saith the Lord GOD: I will even
gather you from the people and assemble you out of
the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give
you the land of Israel.' And they shall come thither, and
they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all
the abominations thereof from thence. And I will give them
one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will
take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a
heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep
Mine ordinances, and do them. And they shall be My
people, and I will be their God.
187
Psalm 104:24-31“ Benedic, anima mea”
O
LORD, how manifold are thy works! * in wisdom
hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches.
25 So is the great and wide sea also; * wherein are things
creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
26 There go the ships, and there is that leviathan, * whom
thou hast made to take his pastime therein.
27 These wait all upon thee, * that thou mayest give them
meat in due season.
28 When thou givest it them, they gather it; * and when
thou openest thy hand, they are filled with good.
29 When thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: * when
thou takest away their breath, they die, and are turned
again to their dust.
30 When thou lettest thy breath go forth, they shall be
made; * and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
31 The glorious majesty of the LORD shall endure for ever;
* the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
or
33:12-14,17-21 “Exultate, justi”
B
lessed are the people whose God is the Lord
JEHOVAH; * and blessed are the folk that he hath
chosen to him, to be his inheritance.
13 The LORD looketh down from heaven, and beholdeth
all the children of men; * from the habitation of his
dwelling, he considereth all them that dwell on the earth.
188
14 He fashioneth all the hearts of them, * and
understandeth all their works.
17 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear
him, * and upon them that put their trust in his mercy;
18 To deliver their soul from death, * and to feed them in
the time of dearth.
19 Our soul hath patiently tarried for the LORD; * for he is
our help and our shield.
20 For our heart shall rejoice in him; * because we have
hoped in his holy Name.
21 Let thy merciful kindness, O LORD, be upon us, * like
as we do put our trust in thee.
1 Corinthians 12:4-13
N
ow there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of administrations, but the
same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is
the same God who worketh all in all. But the manifestation
of the Spirit is given to every man to profit thereby: For to
one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another
the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith
by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the
same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another
prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers
kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.
But all of these that one and the selfsame Spirit worketh,
apportioning to every man individually as He will. For as
the body is one, and hath many members, and all the
members of that one body, being many, are one body, so
also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one
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body, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, whether we are
bond or free, and have been all made to drink into one
Spirit.
or
Acts 2:1-11
A
nd when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they
were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly
there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty
wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues as of fire,
and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with
the Holy Ghost and began to speak in other tongues, as the
Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at
Jerusalem Jews, devout men out of every nation under
heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude
came together and were confounded, because every man
heard them speaking in his own language. And they were
all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, "Behold,
are not all these who speak Galileans? And how then do we
each hear them speaking in our own tongue wherein we
were born? Parthians, Medes, Elamites and the dwellers in
Mesopotamia, and in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and
Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and in the parts of
Libya about Cyrene, and strangers from Rome, both Jews
and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians -- we hear them speak
in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."
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Trinity Sunday
Genesis 1:1:1-2:3
I
n the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
And the earth was without form and void, and darkness
was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God
moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, "Let
there be light"; and there was light. And God saw the light,
that it was good; and God divided the light from the
darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness
He called Night. And the evening and the morning were the
first day. And God said, "Let there be a firmament in the
midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the
waters." And God made the firmament, and divided the
waters which were under the firmament from the waters
which were above the firmament; and it was so. And God
called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the
morning were the second day. And God said, "Let the
waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one
place, and let the dry land appear"; and it was so. And God
called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the
waters called He Seas; and God saw that it was good. And
God said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding
seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose
seed is in itself, upon the earth"; and it was so. And the
earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his
kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself,
after his kind; and God saw that it was good. And the
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evening and the morning were the third day. And God said,
"Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide
the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for
seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights
in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the
earth"; and it was so. And God made two great lights: the
greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the
night. He made the stars also. And God set them in the
firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, and to
rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light
from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And the
evening and the morning were the fourth day. And God
said, "Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving
creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth
in the open firmament of heaven." And God created great
whales and every living creature that moveth, which the
waters brought forth abundantly after their kind, and every
winged fowl after his kind; and God saw that it was good.
And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply,
and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply on the
earth." And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
And God said, "Let the earth bring forth the living creature
after his kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the
earth after his kind"; and it was so. And God made the
beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind,
and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind;
and God saw that it was good. And God said, "Let Us make
man in Our image, after Our likeness; and let them have
dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the
air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth and over
every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." So God
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created man in His own image, in the image of God created
He him; male and female created He them. And God
blessed them, and God said unto them, "Be fruitful and
multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have
dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the
air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the
earth." And God said, "Behold, I have given you every herb
bearing seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and
every tree in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to
you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth,
and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that
creepeth upon the earth wherein there is life, I have given
every green herb for meat"; and it was so. And God saw
every thing that He had made, and behold, it was very
good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the
host of them. And on the seventh day God ended His work
which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from
all His work which He had made. And God blessed the
seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He had rested
from all His work which God created and made.
Psalm 150 “Laudate Dominum”
O
PRAISE God in his sanctuary: * praise him in the
firmament of his power.
2 Praise him in his noble acts: * praise him according to his
excellent greatness.
3 Praise him in the sound of the trumpet: * praise him upon
the lute and harp.
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4 Praise him in the timbrels and dances: * praise him upon
the strings and pipe.
5 Praise him upon the well-tuned cymbals: * praise him
upon the loud cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath * praise the LORD.
2 Corinthians 13:5-14
E
xamine yourselves whether ye be in the faith. Test
your own selves. Know ye not yourselves how Jesus
Christ is in you, unless ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye
shall know that we are not reprobates. Now I pray to God
that ye do no evil, not that we should appear to be
approved, but that ye should do that which is honest,
though we be as reprobates. For we can do nothing against
the truth, but only for the truth. For we are glad when we
are weak and ye are strong. And this also we wish: even
your perfection. Therefore I write these things being absent,
lest, were I present, I should use sharpness, according to the
power which the Lord hath given me for edification, and
not for destruction. Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect,
be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the
God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another
with a holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of the
Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion
of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
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Proper 1
Sunday closest to May 11
Ecclesiasticus 15:11-20
S
ay not thou, "It is through the Lord that I fell away"; for
thou oughtest not to do the things that He hateth. Say
not thou, "He hath caused me to err"; for He hath no need
of the sinful man. The Lord hateth all abomination, and
they that fear God love it not. He Himself made man from
the beginning, and left him in the hand of his counsel, if
thou wilt keep the commandments, and perform acceptable
faithfulness. He hath set fire and water before thee: stretch
forth thy hand unto whichever thou wilt. Before man is life
and death; and whichever he liketh shall be given him. For
the wisdom of the Lord is great, and He is mighty in power
and beholdeth all things; and His eyes are upon them that
fear Him, and He knoweth every work of man. He hath
commanded no man to do wickedly, neither hath He given
any man license to sin.
Psalm 119:1-16 “Beati immaculati”
B
LESSED are those that are undefiled in the way, and
walk in the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, * and seek him
with their whole heart;
3 Even they who do no wickedness, * and walk in his ways.
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4 Thou hast charged * that we shall diligently keep thy
commandments.
5 O that my ways were made so direct, * that I might keep
thy statutes!
6 So shall I not be confounded, * while I have respect unto
all thy commandments.
7 I will thank thee with an unfeigned heart, * when I shall
have learned the judgments of thy righteousness.
8 I will keep thy statutes; * O forsake me not utterly.
9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? * even
by ruling himself after thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee; * O let me not
go wrong out of thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid within my heart, * that I should not
sin against thee.
12 Blessed art thou, O LORD; * O teach me thy statutes.
13 With my lips have I been telling * of all the judgments
of thy mouth.
14 I have had as great delight in the way of thy testimonies,
* as in all manner of riches.
15 I will talk of thy commandments, * and have respect
unto thy ways.
16 My delight shall be in thy statutes, * and I will not
forget thy word.
1 Corinthians 3:1-9
A
nd I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto
spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in
Christ. I have fed you with milk and not with meat; for
hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye
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able, for ye are yet carnal. For if there is among you
envying and strife and divisions, are ye not carnal and walk
as men? For while one saith, "I am of Paul," and another, "I
am of Apollos," are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and
who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye came to believe,
even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted,
Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then,
neither is he that planteth anything, nor he that watereth,
but God who giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and
he that watereth are one, and every man shall receive his
own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers
together with God; ye are God's husbandry; ye are God's
building.
Proper 2
Sunday closest to May 18
Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
A
nd the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, "Speak unto
all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say
unto them: `Ye shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am
holy. "`And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou
shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt
thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not
glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of
thy vineyard. Thou shalt leave them for the poor and
stranger: I am the LORD your God. "`Ye shall not steal,
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neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. And ye shall
not swear by My name falsely; neither shalt thou profane
the name of thy God: I am the LORD. "`Thou shalt not
defraud thy neighbor, neither rob him. The wages of him
that is hired shall not remain with thee all night until the
morning. Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling
block before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the
LORD. "`Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment.
Thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the
person of the mighty, but in righteousness shalt thou judge
thy neighbor. "`Thou shalt not go up and down as a
talebearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand
against the blood of thy neighbor: I am the LORD. "`Thou
shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart. Thou shalt in any
wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not let sin come upon him.
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the
children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself: I am the LORD.
Psalm 7 “In te, Domine, speravi”
I
N thee, O LORD, have I put my trust; let me never be
put to confusion, * but rid me and deliver me in thy
righteousness; incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
2 Be thou my stronghold, whereunto I may alway resort: *
thou hast promised to help me, for thou art my house of
defence, and my castle.
3 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the ungodly, *
out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
4 For thou, O Lord GOD, art the thing that I long for: *
thou art my hope, even from my youth.
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5 Through thee have I been holden up ever since I was
born: * thou art he that took me out of my mother's
womb: my praise shall be alway of thee.
6 I am become as it were a monster unto many, * but my
sure trust is in thee.
7 O let my mouth be filled with thy praise, * that I may
sing of thy glory and honour all the day long.
8 Cast me not away in the time of age; * forsake me not
when my strength faileth me.
9 For mine enemies speak against me; * and they that lay
wait for my soul take their counsel together, saying,
10 God hath forsaken him; * persecute him, and take him,
for there is none to deliver him.
11 Go not far from me, O God; * my God, haste thee to
help me.
12 Let them be confounded and perish that are against my
soul; * let them be covered with shame and dishonour
that seek to do me evil.
13 As for me, I will patiently abide alway, * and will praise
thee more and more.
14 My mouth shall daily speak of thy righteousness and
salvation; * for I know no end thereof.
15 I will go forth in the strength of the Lord GOD, * and
will make mention of thy righteousness only.
16 Thou, O God, hast taught me from my youth up until
now; * therefore will I tell of thy wondrous works.
17 Forsake me not, O God, in mine old age, when I am
gray-headed, * until I have showed thy strength unto this
generation, and thy power to all them that are yet for to
come.
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18 Thy righteousness, O God, is very high, * and great
things are they that thou hast done: O God, who is like
unto thee!
19 O what great troubles and adversities hast thou showed
me ! and yet didst thou turn and refresh me; * yea, and
broughtest me from the deep of the earth again.
20 Thou hast brought me to great honour, * and comforted
me on every side:
21 Therefore will I praise thee, and thy faithfulness, O God,
playing upon an instrument of music: * unto thee will I
sing upon the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
22 My lips will be glad when I sing unto thee; * and so will
my soul whom thou hast delivered.
23 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the
day long; * for they are confounded and brought unto
shame that seek to do me evil.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23
A
ccording to the grace of God which is given unto me,
as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation,
and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed
how he buildeth thereupon. For no man can lay another
foundation than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the
Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple
of God, him shall God destroy. For the temple of God is
holy, and ye are that temple. Let no man deceive himself. If
any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let
him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of
this world is foolishness with God. For it is written: "He
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taketh the wise in their own craftiness"; and again, "The
Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain."
Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours,
whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or
death, or things present or things to come -- all are yours,
and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
Proper 3
Sunday closest to May 25
Isaiah 49:8-18
T
hus saith the LORD: "In an acceptable time have I
heard Thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped
Thee; and I will preserve Thee and give Thee for a
covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to
inherit the desolate heritages, that Thou mayest say to the
prisoners, `Go forth,' to them that are in darkness, `Show
yourselves.' "They shall feed on the paths, and their
pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger
nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor sun smite them; for He
that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the
springs of water shall He guide them. And I will make all
My mountains a way, and My highways shall be exalted.
Behold, these shall come from far--and lo, these from the
north and from the west, and these from the land of Sinim."
Sing, O heavens, and be joyful, O earth! And break forth
into singing, O mountains! For the LORD hath comforted
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His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted. But
Zion said, "The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath
forgotten me." "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that
she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I
have graven thee upon the palms of My hands; thy walls
are continually before Me. Thy children shall make haste;
thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth
from thee. Lift up thine eyes round about and behold; all
these gather themselves together and come to thee. As I
live," saith the LORD, "thou shalt surely clothe thee with
them all as with an ornament, and bind them on thee as a
bride doeth.
Psalm 62 “Nonne Deo?”
M
Y soul truly waiteth still upon God; * for of him
cometh my salvation.
2 He verily is my strength and my salvation; * he is my
defence, so that I shall not greatly fall.
3 How long will ye imagine mischief against every man? *
Ye shall be slain all the sort of you; yea, as a tottering
wall shall ye be, and like a broken hedge.
4 Their device is only how to put him out whom God will
exalt; * their delight is in lies; they give good words with
their mouth, but curse with their heart.
5 Nevertheless, my soul, wait thou still upon God; * for my
hope is in him.
6 He truly is my strength and my salvation; * he is my
defence, so that I shall not fall.
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7 In God is my health and my glory; * the rock of my
might; and in God is my trust.
8 O put your trust in him alway, ye people; * pour out your
hearts before him, for God is our hope.
9 As for the children of men, they are but vanity; the
children of men are deceitful; * upon the weights they
are altogether lighter than vanity itself.
10 O trust not in wrong and robbery; give not yourselves
unto vanity: * if riches increase, set not your heart upon
them.
11 God spake once, and twice I have also heard the same, *
that power belongeth unto God;
12 And that thou, Lord, art merciful; * for thou rewardest
every man according to his work.
1 Corinthians 4:1-13
L
et a man so account us as the ministers of Christ, and
stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is
required in stewards that a man be found faithful. But with
me it is a very small thing that I should be judge by you, or
by man's judgment. Yea, I judge not mine own self. For I
know nothing by myself, yet am I not hereby justified; but
He that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing
before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to
light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest
the counsels of the hearts; and then shall every man have
praise of God. And these things, brethren, I have in a sense
transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes, that ye
may learn through us not to regard men above that which is
written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against
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another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? And
what hast thou that thou did not receive? Now if thou did
receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou had not been
given it? Now ye are full, now ye are rich! Ye have reigned
as kings without us! And I would to God ye did reign, that
we also might reign with you! For I think that God hath set
forth us, the apostles, last, as it were approved to death; for
we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and
to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in
Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable,
but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both
hunger and thirst, and are naked and are buffeted, and have
no certain dwelling place, and we labor, working with our
own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we
suffer it; being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the
filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto
this day.
Proper 4
Sunday closest to June 1
Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28
"Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and
in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that
they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall
teach them to your children, speaking of them when thou
sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way,
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when thou liest down and when thou risest up. And thou
shalt write them upon the doorposts of thine house and
upon thy gates, that your days may be multiplied, and the
days of your children, in the land which the LORD swore
unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon
the earth. "Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and
a curse: a blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the
LORD your God which I command you this day; and a
curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD
your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command
you this day, to go after other gods which ye have not
known.
Psalm 62 “Nonne Deo?”
M
Y soul truly waiteth still upon God; * for of him
cometh my salvation.
2 He verily is my strength and my salvation; * he is my
defence, so that I shall not greatly fall.
3 How long will ye imagine mischief against every man? *
Ye shall be slain all the sort of you; yea, as a tottering
wall shall ye be, and like a broken hedge.
4 Their device is only how to put him out whom God will
exalt; * their delight is in lies; they give good words with
their mouth, but curse with their heart.
5 Nevertheless, my soul, wait thou still upon God; * for my
hope is in him.
6 He truly is my strength and my salvation; * he is my
defence, so that I shall not fall.
7 In God is my health and my glory; * the rock of my
might; and in God is my trust.
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8 O put your trust in him alway, ye people; * pour out your
hearts before him, for God is our hope.
9 As for the children of men, they are but vanity; the
children of men are deceitful; * upon the weights they
are altogether lighter than vanity itself.
10 O trust not in wrong and robbery; give not yourselves
unto vanity: * if riches increase, set not your heart upon
them.
11 God spake once, and twice I have also heard the same, *
that power belongeth unto God;
12 And that thou, Lord, art merciful; * for thou rewardest
every man according to his work.
Romans 3:21-25a, 28
B
ut now the righteousness of God apart from the law is
manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the
Prophets, even the righteousness of God, which is by faith
of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all those who believe. For
there is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of
the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace
through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Him God
hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood,
to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that
are past, through the forbearance of God; Therefore we
conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the
deeds of the law.
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Proper 5
Sunday closest to June 8
Hosea 5:15-6:6
I
will go and return to My place, till they acknowledge
their offense and seek My face; in their affliction they
will seek Me early." Come, and let us return unto the
LORD; for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath
smitten, and He will bind us up. After two days will He
revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, and we shall
live in His sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to
know the LORD; His going forth is prepared as the
morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter
and former rain unto the earth. "O Ephraim, what shall I do
unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? For your
goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it
goeth away. Therefore have I hewn them by the prophets; I
have slain them by the words of My mouth; and thy
judgments are as the light that goeth forth. For I desired
mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more
than burnt offerings.
Psalms 50 “Deus deorum”
T
HE LORD, even the Most Mighty God, hath spoken, *
and called the world, from the rising up of the sun unto
the going down thereof.
2 Out of Sion hath God appeared * in perfect beauty.
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3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence; * there
shall go before him a consuming fire, and a mighty
tempest shall be stirred up round about him.
4 He shall call the heaven from above, * and the earth, that
he may judge his people.
5 Gather my saints together unto me; * those that have
made a covenant with me with sacrifice.
6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness; * for
God is Judge himself.
7 Hear, O my people, and I will speak; * I myself will
testify against thee, O Israel; for I am God, even thy
God.
8 I will not reprove thee because of thy sacrifices; * as for
thy burnt-offerings, they are alway before me.
9 I will take no bullock out of thine house, * nor he-goats
out of thy folds.
10 For all the beasts of the forest are mine, * and so are the
cattle upon a thousand hills.
11 I know all the fowls upon the mountains, * and the wild
beasts of the field are in my sight.
12 If I be hungry, I will not tell thee; * for the whole world
is mine, and all that is therein.
13 Thinkest thou that I will eat bulls' flesh, * and drink the
blood of goats?
14 Offer unto God thanksgiving, * and pay thy vows unto
the Most Highest.
15 And call upon me in the time of trouble; * so will I hear
thee, and thou shalt praise me.
16 But unto the ungodly saith God, * Why dost thou preach
my laws, and takest my covenant in thy mouth;
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17 Whereas thou hatest to be reformed, * and hast cast my
words behind thee?
18 When thou sawest a thief, thou consentedst unto him; *
and hast been partaker with the adulterers.
19 Thou hast let thy mouth speak wickedness, * and with
thy tongue thou hast set forth deceit.
20 Thou sattest and spakest against thy brother; * yea, and
hast slandered thine own mother's son.
21 These things hast thou done, and I held my tongue, and
thou thoughtest wickedly, that I am even such a one as
thyself; * but I will reprove thee, and set before thee the
things that thou hast done.
22 O consider this, ye that forget God, * lest I pluck you
away, and there be none to deliver you.
23 Whoso offereth me thanks and praise, he honoureth me;
* and to him that ordereth his way aright, will I show the
salvation of God.
Romans 4:13-18
F
or the promise that he should be the heir of the world
came not to Abraham or to his seed through the law,
but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are
of the law be heirs, faith is made void and the promise
made of no effect, because the law worketh wrath; for
where there is no law, there is no transgression. Therefore it
is of faith, that it might be given by grace to the end that the
promise might be made sure to all the seed, not to that only
which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of
Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written: "I
have made thee a father of many nations"), in the presence
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of Him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the
dead and calleth those things which are not, as though they
were. Abraham, against all hope, believed in hope, that he
might become the father of many nations, according to that
which had been spoken, "So shall thy seed be."
Proper 6
Sunday closest to June 15
Exodus 19:2-8a
F
or they had departed from Rephidim, and had come to
the desert of Sinai and had pitched camp in the
wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. And
Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him
out of the mountain, saying, "Thus shalt thou say to the
house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: `Ye have
seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bore you on
eagles' wings and brought you unto Myself. Now therefore,
if ye will obey My voice indeed and keep My covenant,
then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all
people; for all the earth is Mine. And ye shall be unto Me a
kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words
which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel." And
Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid
before their faces all these words which the LORD
commanded him. And all the people answered together and
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said, "All that the LORD hath spoken we will do." And
Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.
Psalm 100 “Jubilate Deo”
O
BE joyful in the LORD, all ye lands: * serve the
LORD with gladness, and come before his presence
with a song.
2 Be ye sure that the LORD he is God; it is he that hath
made us, and not we ourselves; * we are his people, and
the sheep of his pasture.
3 O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into
his courts with praise; * be thankful unto him, and speak
good of his Name.
4 For the LORD is gracious, his mercy is everlasting; * and
his truth endureth from generation to generation.
Romans 5:6-11
F
or when we were yet without strength, in due time
Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely will one die
for a righteous man, yet perhaps for a good man some
would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love
toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for
us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we
shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we
were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of
His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved
by His life. And not only that, but we shall also rejoice in
God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now
received the atonement.
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Proper 7
Sunday closest to June 22
Jeremiah 20:7-13
O
LORD, Thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived;
Thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed. I am in
derision daily; every one mocketh me. For when I spoke, I
cried out; I cried, "Violence and despoliation!" because the
word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me and a
derision daily. Then I said, "I will not make mention of
Him, nor speak any more in His name." But His word was
in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I
was weary with forbearing, and I could not hold back. For I
heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. "Report,"
say they, "and we will report it!" All in my company
watched for my halting, saying, "Perhaps he will be
enticed, and we shall prevail against him; and we shall take
our revenge on him." But the LORD is with me as a
mighty, fearsome one; therefore my persecutors shall
stumble, and they shall not prevail. They shall be greatly
ashamed, for they shall not prosper; their everlasting
confusion shall never be forgotten. But, O LORD of hosts,
who triest the righteous and seest the reins and the heart, let
me see Thy vengeance on them, for unto Thee have I
opened my cause. Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the
LORD; for He hath delivered the soul of the poor from the
hand of evildoers.
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Psalm 69:1-18 “Salvum me fac”
S
AVE me, O God; * for the waters are come in, even
unto my soul.
2 I stick fast in the deep mire, where no ground is; * I am
come into deep waters, so that the floods run over me.
3 I am weary of crying; my throat is dry; * my sight faileth
me for waiting so long upon my God.
4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs
of my head; * they that are mine enemies, and would
destroy me guiltless, are mighty.
5 I paid them the things that I never took: * God, thou
knowest my simpleness, and my faults are not hid from
thee.
6 Let not them that trust in thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be
ashamed for my cause; * let not those that seek thee be
confounded through me, O Lord God of Israel.
7 And why? for thy sake have I suffered reproof; * shame
hath covered my face.
8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, * even an alien
unto my mother's children.
9 For the zeal of thine house hath even eaten me; * and the
rebukes of them that rebuked thee are fallen upon me.
10 I wept, and chastened myself with fasting, * and that
was turned to my reproof.
11 I put on sackcloth also, * and they jested upon me.
12 They that sit in the gate speak against me, * and the
drunkards make songs upon me.
13 But, LORD, I make my prayer unto thee * in an
acceptable time.
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14 Hear me, O God, in the multitude of thy mercy, * even
in the truth of thy salvation.
15 Take me out of the mire, that I sink not; * O let me be
delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep
waters.
16 Let not the water-flood drown me, neither let the deep
swallow me up; * and let not the pit shut her mouth upon
me.
17 Hear me, O LORD, for thy loving-kindness is
comfortable; * turn thee unto me according to the
multitude of thy mercies.
18 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in
trouble: * O haste thee, and hear me.
Romans 5:15b-19
B
ut not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if
through the offense of one many be dead, much more
the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one
Man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it
was by one who sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was
by one to condemnation, but the free gift is for many
offenses unto justification. For if by one man's offense
death reigned by one, much more those who receive
abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall reign
in life by One, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offense of
one, judgment to condemnation came upon all men, even
so by the righteousness of One, the free gift unto
justification of life came upon all men. For as by one man's
disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience
of One shall many be made righteous.
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Proper 8
Sunday closest to June 29
Isaiah 2:10-17
E
nter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of
the LORD and for the glory of His majesty. The lofty
looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men
shall be bowed down; and the LORD alone shall be exalted
in that day. For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon
every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that
is lifted up--and he shall be brought low" and upon all the
cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up, and upon all
the oaks of Bashan; and upon all the high mountains, and
upon all the hills that are lifted up; and upon every high
tower, and upon every fortified wall; and upon all the ships
of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant sights. And the loftiness
of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men
shall be made low; and the LORD alone shall be exalted in
that day,
Psalm 89:1-18 “Misericordias Domini”
M
Y song shall be alway of the loving-kindness of the
LORD; * with my mouth will I ever be showing thy
truth from one generation to another.
2 For I have said, Mercy shall be set up for ever; * thy truth
shalt thou stablish in the heavens.
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3 I have made a covenant with my chosen; * I have sworn
unto David my servant:
4 Thy seed will I stablish for ever, * and set up thy throne
from one generation to another.
5 O LORD, the very heavens shall praise thy wondrous
works; * and thy truth in the congregation of the saints.
6 For who is he among the clouds, * that shall be compared
unto the LORD?
7 And what is he among the gods, * that shall be like unto
the LORD?
8 God is very greatly to be feared in the council of the
saints, * and to be had in reverence of all them that are
round about him.
9 O Lord God of hosts, who is like unto thee? * thy truth,
most mighty LORD, is on every side.
10 Thou rulest the raging of the sea; * thou stillest the
waves thereof when they arise.
11 Thou hast subdued Egypt, and destroyed it; * thou hast
scattered thine enemies abroad with thy mighty arm.
12 The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine; * thou hast
laid the foundation of the round world, and all that
therein is.
13 Thou hast made the north and the south; * Tabor and
Hermon shall rejoice in thy Name.
14 Thou hast a mighty arm; * strong is thy hand, and high
is thy right hand.
15 Righteousness and equity are the habitation of thy seat;
* mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
16 Blessed is the people, O LORD, that can rejoice in thee;
* they shall walk in the light of thy countenance.
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17 Their delight shall be daily in thy Name; * and in thy
righteousness shall they make their boast.
18 For thou art the glory of their strength, * and in thy
loving-kindness thou shalt lift up our horns.
19 For the LORD is our defence; * the Holy One of Israel
is our King.
Romans 6:3-11
K
now ye not that as many of us as were baptized into
Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore
we are buried with Him by baptism into death, that just as
Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For
if we have been planted together in the likeness of His
death, so we shall also be in the likeness of His
resurrection, knowing this: that our old man is crucified
with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that
henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is
freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe
that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, being
raised from the dead, dieth no more; death no more hath
dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin
once; but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise
reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but
alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Proper 9
Sunday closest to July 6
Zechariah 9:9-12
R
ejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter
of Jerusalem! Behold, thy King cometh unto thee! He
is just and having salvation, lowly, and riding upon an ass
and upon a colt, the foal of an ass. And I will cut off the
chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and
the battle bow shall be cut off; and He shall speak peace
unto the heathen, and His dominion shall be from sea even
to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth. As
for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant, I have sent forth
thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. Turn you to
the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope; even today do I
declare that I will render double unto thee,
Psalm 145 “Exaltabo te, Deus”
I
WILL magnify thee, O God, my King; * and I will
praise thy Name for ever and ever.
2 Every day will I give thanks unto thee; * and praise thy
Name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and marvellous worthy to be praised;
* there is no end of his greatness.
4 One generation shall praise thy works unto another, * and
declare thy power.
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5 As for me, I will be talking of thy worship, * thy glory,
thy praise, and wondrous works;
6 So that men shall speak of the might of thy marvellous
acts; * and I will also tell of thy greatness.
7 The memorial of thine abundant kindness shall be
showed; * and men shall sing of thy righteousness.
8 The LORD is gracious and merciful; * long-suffering,
and of great goodness.
9 The LORD is loving unto every man; * and his mercy is
over all his works.
10 All thy works praise thee, O LORD; * and thy saints
give thanks unto thee.
11 They show the glory of thy kingdom, * and talk of thy
power;
12 That thy power, thy glory, and mightiness of thy
kingdom, * might be known unto men.
13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, * and thy
dominion endureth throughout all ages.
14 The LORD upholdeth all such as fall, * and lifteth up all
those that are down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord; * and thou
givest them their meat in due season.
16 Thou openest thine hand, * and fillest all things living
with plenteousness.
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, * and holy in all
his works.
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him; *
yea, all such as call upon him faithfully.
19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him; * he also
will hear their cry, and will help them.
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20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him; * but
scattereth abroad 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.
Romans 7:21-8:6
I
find then a law that, when I would do good, evil is
present with me. For I delight in the law of God
according to the inward man. But I see another law in my
members, warring against the law of my mind and bringing
me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the
body of this death? I thank God -- through Jesus Christ our
Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God,
but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk
not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For
the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me
free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could
not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending
His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin,
condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteousness of the
law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the
flesh, but according to the Spirit. For those who are
according to the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but
those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the
Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be
spiritually minded is life and peace,
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Proper 10
Sunday closest to July 13
Isaiah 55:1-5, 10-13
"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he
that hath no money, come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy
wine and milk without money and without price. Why do
ye spend money for that which is not bread, and your labor
for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto Me,
and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight
itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto Me; hear,
and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting
covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold,
I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and
commander to the people. Behold, thou shalt call a nation
that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall
run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the
Holy One of Israel; for He hath glorified thee." For as the
rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth
not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth
and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the
eater, so shall My word be that goeth forth out of My
mouth: It shall not return unto Me void, but it shall
accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the
thing whereto I sent it. "For ye shall go out with joy, and be
led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break
forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field
shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up
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the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the
myrtle tree; and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an
everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."
Psalm 65 “Te decet hymnus”
T
HOU, O God, art praised in Sion; * and unto thee shall
the vow be performed in Jerusalem.
2 Thou that hearest the prayer, * unto thee shall all flesh
come.
3 My misdeeds prevail against me: * O be thou merciful
unto our sins.
4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and receivest
unto thee: * he shall dwell in thy court, and shall be
satisfied with the pleasures of thy house, even of thy
holy temple.
5 Thou shalt show us wonderful things in thy
righteousness, O God of our salvation; * thou that art the
hope of all the ends of the earth, and of them that remain
in the broad sea.
6 Who in his strength setteth fast the mountains, * and is
girded about with power.
7 Who stilleth the raging of the sea, * and the noise of his
waves, and the madness of the peoples.
8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts of the earth
shall be afraid at thy tokens, * thou that makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to praise thee.
9 Thou visitest the earth, and blessest it; * thou makest it
very plenteous.
10 The river of God is full of water: * thou preparest their
corn, for so thou providest for the earth.
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11 Thou waterest her furrows; thou sendest rain into the
little valleys thereof; * thou makest it soft with the
drops of rain, and blessest the increase of it.
12 Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; * and thy
clouds drop fatness.
13 They shall drop upon the dwellings of the wilderness; *
and the little hills shall rejoice on every side.
14 The folds shall be full of sheep; * the valleys also shall
stand so thick with corn, that they shall laugh and
sing.
Romans 8:9-17
B
ut ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so it be
that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man
have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if
Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the
Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of
Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He
that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your
mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore,
brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh to live according
to the flesh; for if ye live according to the flesh ye shall die,
but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body
ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit
of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the Spirit of
adoption, whereby we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit itself
beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of
God; and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and joint
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heirs with Christ, if so it be that we suffer with Him, that
we may be also glorified together.
Proper 11
Sunday closest to July 20
Wisdom 12:13, 16-19
F
or neither is there any God but Thou, that careth for all,
to whom Thou mightest show that Thy judgment is not
unjust; For Thy power is the beginning of righteousness,
and because Thou art the Lord of all, it maketh Thee to be
gracious unto all. For when men will not believe that Thou
art of a full power, Thou showest Thy strength; and among
them that know it Thou makest their boldness manifest. But
Thou, mastering Thy power, judgest with equity, and
orderest us with great favor; for Thou mayest use power
when Thou wilt. But by such works hast Thou taught Thy
people that the just man should be merciful, and hast made
Thy children to be of a good hope that Thou givest
repentance for sins.
Psalm 86 “Inclina, Domine”
B
OW down thine ear, O LORD, and hear me; * for I am
poor, and in misery.
2 Preserve thou my soul, for I am holy: * my God, save
thy servant that putteth his trust in thee.
3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord; * for I will call daily upon
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thee.
4 Comfort the soul of thy servant; * for unto thee, O Lord,
do I lift up my soul.
5 For thou, Lord, art good and gracious, * and of great
mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
6 Give ear, LORD, unto my prayer, * and ponder the
voice of my humble desires.
7 In the time of my trouble I will call upon thee; * for thou
hearest me.
8 Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; *
there is not one that can do as thou doest.
9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship
thee, O Lord; * and shall glorify thy Name.
10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: * thou
art God alone.
11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and I will walk in thy
truth: * O knit my heart unto thee, that I may fear thy
Name.
12 I will thank thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart; *
and will praise thy Name for evermore.
13 For great is thy mercy toward me; * and thou hast
delivered my soul from the nethermost hell.
14 O God, the proud are risen against me; * and the
congregations of violent men have sought after my soul,
and have not set thee before their eyes.
15 But thou, O Lord God, art full of compassion and
mercy, * long-suffering, plenteous in goodness and
truth.
16 O turn thee then unto me, and have mercy upon me; *
give thy strength unto thy servant, and help the son of
thine handmaid.
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17 Show some token upon me for good; that they who hate
me may see it, and be ashamed, * because thou, LORD,
hast holpen me, and comforted me.
Romans 8:18-25
F
or I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are
not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall
be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the
creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly,
but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same in hope,
because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the
bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the
children of God. For we know that the whole creation
groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not
only they, but ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the
Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting
for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we
are saved by hope; but hope that is seen is not hope, for
what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for it? But if we
hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience
wait for it.
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Proper 12
Sunday closest to July 27
1 Kings 3:5-12
I
n Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by
night; and God said, "Ask what I shall give thee." And
Solomon said, "Thou hast shown unto Thy servant David
my father great mercy, according as he walked before Thee
in truth and in righteousness and in uprightness of heart
with Thee; and Thou hast kept for him this great kindness,
that Thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is
this day. And now, O LORD my God, Thou hast made Thy
servant king instead of David my father. And I am but a
little child; I know not how to go out or come in. And Thy
servant is in the midst of Thy people whom Thou hast
chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor
counted for multitude. Give therefore Thy servant an
understanding heart to judge Thy people, that I may discern
between good and bad; for who is able to judge this Thy so
great a people?" And the speech pleased the Lord, that
Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him,
"Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for
thyself long life, neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor
hast asked the life of thine enemies, but hast asked for
thyself understanding to discern judgment, behold, I have
done according to thy words. Lo, I have given thee a wise
and an understanding heart, so that there was none like thee
before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
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Psalm 119:121-136 “Feci judicium”
I
DEAL with the thing that is lawful and right; * O give
me not over unto mine oppressors.
122 Make thou thy servant to delight in that which is good,
* that the proud do me no wrong.
123 Mine eyes are wasted away with looking for thy health,
* and for the word of thy righteousness.
124 O deal with thy servant according unto thy loving
mercy, * and teach me thy statutes.
125 I am thy servant; O grant me understanding, * that I
may know thy testimonies.
126 It is time for thee, LORD, to lay to thine hand; * for
they have destroyed thy law.
127 For I love thy commandments * above gold and
precious stones.
128 Therefore hold I straight all thy commandments; * and
all false ways I utterly abhor.
129 Thy testimonies are wonderful; * therefore doth my
soul keep them.
130 When thy word goeth forth, * it giveth light and
understanding unto the simple.
131 I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath; * for my
delight was in thy commandments.
132 O look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, * as
thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name.
wickedness have dominion over me.
134 O deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men; * and
so shall I keep thy commandments.
135 Show the light of thy countenance upon thy servant, *
and teach me thy statutes.
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136 Mine eyes gush out with water, * because men keep
not thy law.
Romans 8:26-34
L
ikewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we
know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the
Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings
which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts
knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh
intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And
we know that all things work together for good to those
who love God, to those who are the called according to His
purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be
conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the
firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He
predestined, those He also called; and whom He called,
those He also justified; and whom He justified, those He
also glorified. What then shall we say of these things? If
God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not
His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He
not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay
anything to the charge against God's elect? It is God who
justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ who
died, yea rather, who is risen again, who is even at the right
hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
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Proper 13
Sunday closest to August 3
Nehemiah 9:16-20
"But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their
necks and hearkened not to Thy commandments. And they
refused to obey, neither were mindful of Thy wonders that
Thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in
their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their
bondage. But Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and
merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and
forsookest them not. Yea, when they had made them a
molten calf and said, `This is thy God who brought thee up
out of Egypt,' and had wrought great provocations, yet
Thou in Thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the
wilderness. The pillar of the cloud departed not from them
by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by
night, to show them light and the way wherein they should
go. Thou gavest also Thy good Spirit to instruct them, and
withheldest not Thy manna from their mouth, and gavest
them water for their thirst.
Psalm 78:1-30 “Attendite, popule”
H
ear my law, O my people; * incline your ears unto the
words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable; * I will declare hard
sentences of old;
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3 Which we have heard and known, * and such as our
fathers have told us;
4 That we should not hide them from the children of the
generations to come; * but to show the honour of the
LORD, his mighty and wonderful works that he hath
done.
5 He made a covenant with Jacob, and gave Israel a law,
which he commanded our forefathers to teach their
children;
6 That their posterity might know it, * and the children
which were yet unborn;
7 To the intent that when they came up, * they might show
their children the same;
8 That they might put their trust in God; * and not to forget
the works of God, but to keep his commandments;
9 And not to be as their forefathers, a faithless and stubborn
generation; * a generation that set not their heart aright,
and whose spirit clave not stedfastly unto God;
10 Like as the children of Ephraim; * who being
harnessed, and carrying bows, turned themselves back in
the day of battle.
11 They kept not the covenant of God, * and would not
walk in his law;
12 But forgat what he had done, * and the wonderful works
that he had showed for
them.
13 Marvellous things did he in the sight of our forefathers,
in the land of Egypt, * even in the field of Zoan.
14 He divided the sea, and let them go through; * he made
the waters to stand on an heap.
15 In the day-time also he led them with a cloud, * and all
the night through with a light of fire.
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16 He clave the hard rocks in the wilderness, * and gave
them drink thereof, as it had been out of the great depth.
17 He brought waters out of the stony rock, * so that it
gushed out like the rivers.
18 Yet for all this they sinned more against him, * and
provoked the Most Highest in the wilderness.
19 They tempted God in their hearts, * and required meat
for their lust.
20 They spake against God also, saying, * Shall God
prepare a table in the wilderness?
21 He smote the stony rock indeed, that the water gushed
out, and the streams flowed withal; * but can he give
bread also, or provide flesh for his people?
22 When the LORD heard this, he was wroth; * so the fire
was kindled in Jacob, and there came up heavy
displeasure against Israel;
23 Because they believed not in God, * and put not their
trust in his help.
24 So he commanded the clouds above, * and opened the
doors of heaven.
25 He rained down manna also upon them for to eat, * and
gave them food from heaven.
26 So man did eat angels' food; * for he sent them meat
enough.
27 He caused the east-wind to blow under heaven; * and
through his power he brought in the southwest-wind.
28 He rained flesh upon them as thick as dust, * and
feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea.
29 He let it fall among their tents, * even round about their
habitation.
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30 So they did eat, and were well filled; for he gave them
their own desire: * they were not disappointed of their
lust.
Romans 8:35-39
W
ho shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall
tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or
nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Thy
sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as
sheep for the slaughter." Nay, in all these things we are
more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am
persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to
come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be
able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ
Jesus our Lord.
Proper 14
Sunday closest to August 10
Jonah 2:1-9
T
hen Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the
fish's belly, and said: "I cried by reason of mine
affliction unto the LORD, and He heard me. Out of the
belly of hell cried I, and Thou heardest my voice. For Thou
hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas, and the
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floods compassed me about; all Thy billows and Thy waves
passed over me. Then I said, `I am cast out of Thy sight;
yet I will look again toward Thy holy temple.' The waters
compassed me about, even to the soul; the depth closed me
round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. I
went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with
her bars was about me for ever; yet hast Thou brought up
my life from corruption, O LORD my God. "When my soul
fainted within me I remembered the LORD; and my prayer
came in unto Thee, into Thine holy temple. They that
observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy, but I will
sacrifice unto Thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will
pay that which I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD."
Psalm 29 “Afferte Domino”
A
SCRIBE unto the LORD, O ye mighty, * ascribe unto
the LORD worship and strength.
2 Ascribe unto the LORD the honour due unto his Name; *
worship the LORD with holy worship.
3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; * it is the
glorious God that maketh the thunder.
4 It is the LORD that ruleth the sea; the voice of the LORD
is mighty in operation; * the voice of the LORD is a
glorious voice.
5 The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedar-trees; * yea,
the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; * Lebanon also,
and Sirion, like a young unicorn.
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7 The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire; the
voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; * yea, the
LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
8 The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to bring forth
young, and strippeth bare the forests: * in his temple
doth every thing speak of his honour.
9 The LORD sitteth above the water-flood, * and the
LORD remaineth a King for ever.
10 The LORD shall give strength unto his people; * the
LORD shall give his people the blessing of peace.
Romans 9:1-5
I
speak the truth in Christ -- I lie not, my conscience also
bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost-- that I have great
heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could
wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for the sake
of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are
Israelites and to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the
glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the
service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers,
and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is
over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
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Proper 15
Sunday closest to August 17
Isaiah 56:1-7
hus saith the Lord,” Keep ye judgment, and do justice;
for My salvation is near to come, and My
righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth
this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; who keepeth
the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from
doing any evil." Neither let the son of the stranger, that
hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, "The
LORD hath utterly separated me from His people"; neither
let the eunuch say, "Behold, I am a dry tree." For thus saith
the LORD: "Unto the eunuchs that keep My Sabbaths, and
choose the things that please Me, and take hold of My
covenant, even unto them will I give in Mine house and
within My walls a place and a name better than of sons and
of daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall
not be cut off. Also the sons of the stranger that join
themselves to the LORD to serve Him, and to love the
name of the LORD, to be His servants, every one that
keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of
My covenant, even them will I bring to My holy mountain,
and make them joyful in My house of prayer; their burnt
offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon Mine
altar, for Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for
all people."
T
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Psalm 6. “Deus misereatur”
G
OD be merciful unto us, and bless us, * and show us
the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto
us;
2 That thy way may be known upon earth, * thy saving
health among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise thee, O God; * yea, let all the
peoples praise thee.
4 O let the nations rejoice and be glad; * for thou shalt
judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon
earth.
5 Let the peoples praise thee, O God; * yea, let all the
peoples praise thee.
6 Then shall the earth bring forth her increase; * and God,
even our own God, shall give us his blessing.
7 God shall bless us; * and all the ends of the world shall
fear him.
Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
F
or I speak to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the
apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my office, that by
any means I may provoke to emulation those who are my
flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away
of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the
receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For the gifts
and calling of God are without repentance. For as in times
past ye have not believed God, yet have now obtained
mercy through their unbelief, even so have these also now
not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain
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mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that
He might have mercy upon all.
Proper 16
Sunday closest to August 24
Isaiah 51:1-6
"Hearken to Me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that
seek the LORD: Look unto the rock from whence ye are
hewn, and to the hole of the pit from whence ye are dug.
Look unto Abraham your father and unto Sarah that bore
you; for I called him alone, and blessed him and increased
him. For the LORD shall comfort Zion; He will comfort all
her waste places, and He will make her wilderness like
Eden and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and
gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice
of melody. "Hearken unto Me, My people, and give ear
unto Me, O My nation; for a law shall proceed from Me,
and I will make My judgment to rest as a light of the
people. My righteousness is near; My salvation is gone
forth, and Mine arms shall judge the people. The isles shall
wait upon Me, and on Mine arm shall they trust. Lift up
your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath;
for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth
shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein
shall die in like manner. But My salvation shall be for ever,
and My righteousness shall not be abolished.
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Psalm 138 “Confitebor tibi”
I
WILL give thanks unto thee, O Lord, with my whole
heart; * even before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy
Name, because of thy loving-kindness and truth; * for
thou hast magnified thy Name, and thy word, above all
things.
3 When I called upon thee, thou heardest me; * and
enduedst my soul with much strength.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD; *
for they have heard the words of thy mouth.
5 Yea, they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, * that
great is the glory of the LORD.
6 For though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto
the lowly; * as for the proud, he beholdeth them afar off.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, yet shalt thou
refresh me; * thou shalt stretch forth thy hand upon the
furiousness of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall
save me.
8 The LORD shall make good his loving-kindness toward
me; * yea, thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever;
despise not then the works of thine own hands.
Romans 11:33-36
O
the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and
knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His
judgments, and His ways past finding out! "For who hath
known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been His
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counselor?" Or, "who hath first given to Him, and it shall
be recompensed unto him again?" For of Him, and through
Him, and to Him, are all things, to whom be glory for ever.
Amen.
Proper 17
Sunday closest to August 31
Jeremiah 15:15-21
O
Lord, Thou knowest; remember me and visit me, and
avenge me on my persecutors. Take me not away in
Thy longsuffering; know that for Thy sake I have suffered
rebuke. Thy words were found, and I ate them; and Thy
word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart; for I
am called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts. I sat not in
the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone
because of Thy hand, for Thou hast filled me with
indignation. Why is my pain perpetual and my wound
incurable, which refuseth to be healed? Wilt Thou be
altogether unto me as a liar and as waters that fail?
Therefore thus saith the LORD: "If thou return, then will I
bring thee back, and thou shalt stand before Me; and if thou
take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as My
mouth. Let them return unto thee, but return not thou unto
them. And I will make thee unto this people a fortified
brazen wall, and they shall fight against thee; but they shall
not prevail against thee, for I am with thee to save thee and
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to deliver thee," saith the LORD. "And I will deliver thee
out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of
the hand of the terrible."
Psalm 26 “Jedica me, Domine”
B
E thou my Judge, O LORD, for I have walked
innocently: * my trust hath been also in the LORD,
therefore shall I not fall.
2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; * try out my reins
and my heart.
3 For thy loving-kindness is ever before mine eyes; * and I
will walk in thy truth.
4 I have not dwelt with vain persons; * neither will I have
fellowship with the deceitful.
5 I have hated the congregation of the wicked; * and will
not sit among the ungodly.
6 I will wash my hands in innocency, O LORD; * and so
will I go to thine altar;
7 That I may show the voice of thanksgiving, * and tell of
all thy wondrous works.
8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, * and the
place where thine honour dwelleth.
9 O shut not up my soul with the sinners, * nor my life with
the blood-thirsty;
10 In whose hands is wickedness, * and their right hand is
full of gifts.
11 But as for me, I will walk innocently: * O deliver me,
and be merciful unto me.
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12 My foot standeth right: * I will praise the LORD in the
congregations.
Romans 12:1-8
I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And
be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by
the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that
good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say to
every man that is among you, through the grace given unto
me, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to
think, but to think soberly according as God hath dealt to
every man the measure of faith. For as we have many
members in one body and all members have not the same
office, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and
every one members one of another. Having then gifts
differing according to the grace that is given to us: if
prophecy, let us prophesy according to our portion of faith;
or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that
teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation;
he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth,
with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.
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Proper 18
Sunday closest to September 7
Ezekiel 33:1-11
A
gain the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, "Son
of man, speak to the children of thy people and say
unto them: `When I bring the sword upon a land, if the
people of the land take a man from their borders and set
him as their watchman, and if when he seeth the sword
come upon the land, he blow the trumpet and warn the
people, then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet
and taketh not warning, if the sword come and take him
away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the
sound of the trumpet and took not warning: his blood shall
be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his
soul. But if the watchman see the sword come and blow not
the trumpet, and the people be not warned, if the sword
come and take any person from among them, he is taken
away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the
watchman's hand.' "So thou, O son of man, I have set thee
as a watchman unto the house of Israel. Therefore thou
shalt hear the word at My mouth and warn them from Me.
When I say unto the wicked, `O wicked man, thou shalt
surely die,' if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from
his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his
blood will I require at thine hand Nevertheless, if thou warn
the wicked of his way to turn from it, if he do not turn from
his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered
thy soul. "Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the
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house of Israel: `Thus ye speak, saying, "If our
transgressions and our sins be upon us and we pine away in
them, how should we then live?"' Say unto them: `As I live,
saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the
wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.
Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die,
O house of Israel?'
Psalm 119:33-48 “Legem pone & Et veniat super me”
T
EACH me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes, * and I
shall keep it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; * yea,
I shall keep it with my whole heart.
35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; * for
therein is my desire.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, * and not to
covetousness.
37 O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity; * and
quicken thou me in thy way.
38 O stablish thy word in thy servant, * that I may fear
thee.
39 Take away the rebuke that I am afraid of; * for thy
judgments are good.
40 Behold, my delight is in thy commandments; * O
quicken me in thy righteousness.
41 LET thy loving mercy come also unto me, O LORD, *
even thy salvation, according unto thy word.
42 So shall I make answer unto my blasphemers; * for my
trust is in thy word.
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43 O take not the word of thy truth utterly out of my
mouth; * for my hope is in thy judgments.
44 So shall I alway keep thy law; * yea, for ever and ever.
45 And I will walk at liberty; * for I seek thy
commandments.
46 I will speak of thy testimonies also, even before kings, *
and will not be ashamed.
47 And my delight shall be in thy commandments, * which
I have loved.
48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments,
which I have loved; * and my study shall be in thy
statutes.
Romans 12:9-21
L
et Love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is
evil; cleave to that which is good. Have kindly
affection one for another with brotherly love, in honor
preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in
spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in
tribulation, continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the
necessity of saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who
persecute you; bless and curse not. Rejoice with those who
rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same
mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things,
but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your
own conceits. Recompense no man evil for evil. Provide
things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as
much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly
beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto
wrath; for it is written: "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,
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saith the Lord." Therefore: "If thine enemy hunger, feed
him; if he thirst, give him drink. For in so doing thou shalt
heap coals of fire on his head." Be not overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good.
Proper 19
Sunday closest to September 14
Ecclesiasticus 27:30-28:7
M
alice and wrath even these are abominations; and the
sinful man shall have them both. He that revengeth
shall find vengeance from the Lord, and He will surely
keep his sins in remembrance. Forgive thy neighbor the
hurt that he hath done unto thee; so shall thy sins also be
forgiven when thou prayest. One man beareth hatred
against another; and doth he seek pardon from the Lord?
He showeth no mercy to a man who is like himself; and
doth he ask forgiveness of his own sins? If he that is but
flesh nourish hatred, who will entreat for pardon of his
sins? Remember thy end, and let enmity cease; remember
corruption and death, and abide in the commandments.
Remember the commandments, and bear no malice toward
thy neighbor; remember the covenant of the Highest, and
overlook ignorance. Abstain from strife, and thou shalt
diminish thy sins; for a furious man will kindle strife. A
sinful man disquieteth friends, and maketh debate among
them that be at peace. As the matter of the fire is, so it
burneth; and as a man's strength is, so is his wrath; and
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according to his riches his anger riseth; and the stronger
they are which contend, the more they will be inflamed. A
hasty contention kindleth a fire, and a hasty fighting
sheddeth blood.
Psalm 103 “Benedic, anima mea”
P
RAISE the LORD, O my soul; * and all that is within
me, praise his holy Name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, * and forget not all his
benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thy sin, * and healeth all thine
infirmities;
4 Who saveth thy life from destruction, * and crowneth
thee with mercy and loving-kindness;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, * making
thee young and lusty as an eagle.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment * for
all them that are oppressed with wrong.
7 He showed his ways unto Moses, * his works unto the
children of Israel.
8 The LORD is full of compassion and mercy, *
longsuffering, and of great goodness.
9 He will not alway be chiding; * neither keepeth he his
anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; * nor rewarded
us according to our wickednesses.
11 For look how high the heaven is in comparison of the
earth; * so great is his mercy also toward them that fear
him.
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12 Look how wide also the east is from the west; * so far
hath he set our sins from us.
13 Yea, like as a father pitieth his own children; * even so
is the LORD merciful unto them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth whereof we are made; * he
remembereth that we are but dust.
15 The days of man are but as grass; * for he flourisheth as
a flower of the field.
16 For as soon as the wind goeth over it, it is gone; * and
the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the merciful goodness of the LORD endureth for
ever and ever upon them that fear him; * and his
righteousness upon children's children;
18 Even upon such as keep his covenant, * and think upon
his commandments to do them.
19 The LORD hath prepared his seat in heaven, * and his
kingdom ruleth over all.
20 O praise the LORD, ye angels of his, ye that excel in
strength; * ye that fulfil his commandment, and hearken
unto the voice of his word.
21 O praise the LORD, all ye his hosts; * ye servants of his
that do his pleasure.
22 O speak good of the LORD, all ye works of his, in all
places of his dominion: * praise thou the LORD, O my
soul.
Romans 14:5-12
O
ne Man esteemeth one day above another; another
esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully
persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth one day,
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regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not that
day, to the Lord doth he not regard it. He that eateth, eateth
to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth
not, to the Lord he eateth not and giveth God thanks. For
none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we
die, we die unto the Lord. Whether we live therefore or die,
we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and
arose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead
and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why
dost thou set at nought thy brother? For we shall all stand
before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: "`As I
live,' saith the Lord, `every knee shall bow to Me, and
every tongue shall confess to God.'" So then every one of
us shall give account of himself to God.
Proper 20
Sunday closest to September 21
Jonah 3:10-4:11
A
nd God saw their works, that they turned from their
evil way. And God repented of the evil that He had
said that He would do unto them, and He did it not. But it
displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And
he prayed unto the LORD and said, "I pray Thee, O LORD,
was not this what I said when I was yet in my country?
Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish; for I knew that Thou
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art a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and of great
kindness, and repentest of the evil. Therefore now, O
LORD, take, I beseech Thee, my life from me, for it is
better for me to die than to live." Then said the LORD,
"Doest thou well to be angry?" So Jonah went out of the
city and sat on the east side of the city, and there made
himself a booth and sat under it in the shadow till he might
see what would become of the city. And the LORD God
prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that
it might be a shadow over his head to deliver him from his
grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad for the gourd. But God
prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and
it smote the gourd so that it withered. And it came to pass,
when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east
wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, so that he
grew faint and wished in himself to die, and said, "It is
better for me to die than to live." And God said to Jonah,
"Doest thou well to be angry over the gourd?" And he said,
"I do well to be angry, even unto death." Then said the
LORD, "Thou hast had pity on the gourd for which thou
hast not labored, neither madest it grow, which came up in
a night and perished in a night. And should not I spare
Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than six score
thousand persons who cannot discern between their right
hand and their left hand, and also many cattle?"
Psalm 145 “Exaltabo te, Deus”
I
WILL magnify thee, O God, my King; * and I will
praise thy Name for ever and ever.
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2 Every day will I give thanks unto thee; * and praise thy
Name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and marvellous worthy to be praised;
* there is no end of his greatness.
4 One generation shall praise thy works unto another, * and
declare thy power.
5 As for me, I will be talking of thy worship, * thy glory,
thy praise, and wondrous works;
6 So that men shall speak of the might of thy marvellous
acts; * and I will also tell of thy greatness.
7 The memorial of thine abundant kindness shall be
showed; * and men shall sing of thy righteousness.
8 The LORD is gracious and merciful; * long-suffering,
and of great goodness.
9 The LORD is loving unto every man; * and his mercy is
over all his works.
10 All thy works praise thee, O LORD; * and thy saints
give thanks unto thee.
11 They show the glory of thy kingdom, * and talk of thy
power;
12 That thy power, thy glory, and mightiness of thy
kingdom, * might be known unto men.
13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, * and thy
dominion endureth throughout all ages.
14 The LORD upholdeth all such as fall, * and lifteth up all
those that are down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord; * and thou
givest them their meat in due season.
16 Thou openest thine hand, * and fillest all things living
with plenteousness.
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17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, * and holy in all
his works.
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him; *
yea, all such as call upon him faithfully.
19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him; * he also
will hear their cry, and will help them.
20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him; * but
scattereth abroad 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.
Philippians 1:21-27
F
or to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live
in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor; yet what I
shall choose, I know not. For I am in a strait between the
two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which
is far better; nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more
needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I
shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance
and joy in faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more
abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. Only
let your manner of living be as becometh the Gospel of
Christ, that whether I come and see you or else am absent, I
may hear of your affairs that ye stand fast in one spirit, with
one mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel,
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Proper 21
Sunday closest to September 28
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
T
he word of the Lord came unto me again, saying,
"What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning
the land of Israel, saying: `The fathers have eaten sour
grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'? As I live,
saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to
use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are Mine. As the
soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is Mine: the
soul that sinneth, it shall die. "Yet ye say, `The way of the
Lord is not equal.' Hear now, O house of Israel: Is not My
way equal? Are not your ways unequal? When a righteous
man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth
iniquity and dieth in it, for his iniquity that he hath done
shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away
from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that
which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
Because he considereth and turneth away from all his
transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live:
he shall not die. Yet saith the house of Israel, `The way of
the Lord is not equal.' O house of Israel, are not My ways
equal? Are not your ways unequal? "Therefore I will judge
you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,
saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all
your transgressions, so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast
away from you all your transgressions whereby ye have
transgressed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new
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spirit. For why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no
pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD.
Therefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
Psalm 25:1-14 “Ad te, Domine, levavi”
U
NTO thee, O LORD, will I lift up my soul; my God, I
have put my trust in thee: * O let me not be
confounded, neither let mine enemies triumph over me.
2 For all they that hope in thee shall not be ashamed; * but
such as transgress without a cause shall be put to
confusion.
3 Show me thy ways, O LORD, * and teach me thy paths.
4 Lead me forth in thy truth, and learn me: * for thou art
the God of my salvation; in thee hath been my hope all
the day long.
5 Call to remembrance, O LORD, thy tender mercies, * and
thy loving-kindnesses, which have been ever of old.
6 O remember not the sins and offences of my youth; * but
according to thy mercy think thou upon me, O LORD,
for thy goodness.
7 Gracious and righteous is the LORD; * therefore, will he
teach sinners in the way.
8 Them that are meek shall he guide in judgment; * and
such as are gentle, them shall he learn his way.
9 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, * unto
such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
10 For thy Name's sake, O LORD, * be merciful unto my
sin; for it is great.
11 What man is he that feareth the LORD? * him shall he
teach in the way that he shall choose.
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12 His soul shall dwell at ease, * and his seed shall inherit
the land.
13 The secret of the LORD is among them that fear him; *
and he will show them his covenant.
14 Mine eyes are ever looking unto the LORD; * for he
shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Philippians 2:1-13
I
f there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any
comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any
tenderness and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be
likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord and
of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or
vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem the
other better than himself. Look not every man to his own
things, but every man also to the things of others. Let this
mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being
in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with
God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon
Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of
men. And being found in the fashion of a man, He humbled
Himself and became obedient unto death--even the death of
the cross. Therefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and
given Him a name which is above every name, that at the
name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in Heaven
and things on earth and things under the earth, and that
every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to
the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as ye
have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now
much more in my absence, work out your own salvation
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with fear and trembling. For it is God who worketh in you,
both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
Proper 22
Sunday closest to October 5
Isaiah 5:1-7
N
ow will I sing to my Well-beloved a song of my
Beloved concerning His vineyard: my Well-beloved
hath a vineyard on a very fruitful hill. And He fenced it,
and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the
choicest vine; and built a tower in the midst of it, and also
made a wine press therein. And He looked for it to bring
forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. "And now, O
inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, I pray
you, between Me and My vineyard. What could have been
done more to My vineyard than I have not done in it? Why,
when I looked for it to bring forth good grapes, brought it
forth wild grapes? "And now, I will tell you what I will do
to My vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it
shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it
shall be trodden down. And I will lay it waste; it shall not
be pruned nor dug, but there shall come up briers and
thorns. I will also command the clouds that they rain no
rain upon it." For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the
house of Israel, and the men of Judah, His pleasant plant.
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And He looked for judgment, but behold, oppression; for
righteousness, but behold, a cry.
Psalm 80 “Qui regis Israel”
H
EAR, O thou Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest
Joseph like a flock; * show thyself also, thou that
sittest upon the Cherubim.
2 Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, * stir up thy
strength, and come and help us.
3 Turn us again, O God; * show the light of thy
countenance, and we shall be whole.
4 O LORD God of hosts, * how long wilt thou be angry
with thy people that prayeth?
5 Thou feedest them with the bread of tears, * and givest
them plenteousness of tears to drink.
6 Thou hast made us a very strife unto our neighbours, *
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7 Turn us again, thou God of hosts; * show the light of thy
countenance, and we shall be whole.
8 Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt; * thou hast cast
out the heathen, and planted it.
9 Thou madest room for it; * and when it had taken root, it
filled the land.
10 The hills were covered with the shadow of it, * and the
boughs thereof were like the goodly cedar-trees.
11 She stretched out her branches unto the sea, * and her
boughs unto the River.
12 Why hast thou then broken down her hedge, * that all
they that go by pluck off her grapes?
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13 The wild boar out of the wood doth root it up, * and the
wild beasts of the field devour it.
14 Turn thee again, thou God of hosts, look down from
heaven, * behold, and visit this vine;
15 And the place of the vineyard that thy right hand hath
planted, * and the branch that thou madest so strong for
thyself.
16 It is burnt with fire, and cut down; * and they shall
perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
17 Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, * and
upon the son of man, whom thou madest so strong for
thine own self.
18 And so will not we go back from thee: * O let us live,
and we shall call upon thy Name.
19 Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts; * show the light
of thy countenance, and we shall be whole.
Philippians 3:14-21
I
press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling
of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as
would be perfect, be thus minded; and if in anything ye be
otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Nevertheless, however much we have already attained, let
us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark those who
so walk, as ye have us for an example. (For many walk, of
whom I have told you often and now tell you even with
weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is
destruction, their God is their belly, and their glory is in
their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our abiding is in
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Heaven, from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord
Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be
fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the
working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto
Himself.
Proper 23
Sunday closest to October 12
Isaiah 25:1-9
O
LORD, Thou art my God. I will exalt Thee, I will
praise Thy name, for Thou hast done wonderful
things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. For
Thou hast made of a city a heap, of a fortified city a ruin, a
palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be rebuilt.
Therefore shall the strong people glorify Thee; the city of
the terrible nations shall fear Thee. For Thou hast been a
strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a
refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the
blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.
Thou shalt bring down the noise of strangers, as the heat in
a dry place, even the heat with the shadow of a cloud; the
branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low. And in this
mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a
feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things
full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And He
will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast
over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations.
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He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD
will wipe away tears from off all faces, and the rebuke of
His people shall He take away from off all the earth; for the
LORD hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day: "Lo,
this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save
us. This is the LORD; we have waited for Him; we will be
glad and rejoice in His salvation."
Psalms 23 “Dominus regit me”
T
HE LORD is my shepherd; * therefore can I lack
nothing.
2 He shall feed me in a green pasture, * and lead me forth
beside the waters of comfort.
3 He shall convert my soul, * and bring me forth in the
paths of righteousness for his Name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil; * for thou art with me; thy rod
and thy staff comfort me.
5 Thou shalt prepare a table before me in the presence of
them that trouble me; * thou hast anointed my head with
oil, and my cup shall be full.
6 Surely thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all
the days of my life; * and I will dwell in the house of the
LORD for ever.
Philippians 4:4-13
R
ejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, "Rejoice!"
Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is
at hand. Fret not about anything, but in everything, by
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prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests
be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things
are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things
are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any
virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Those things which ye have both learned and received and
heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be
with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last
your care for me hath flourished again; though ye always
cared, ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect to
want, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith
to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know
how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I am
instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound
and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who
strengtheneth me.
Proper 24
Sunday closest to October 19
Isaiah 45:1-7
"Thus saith the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose
right hand I have held to subdue nations before him; and I
will loose the loins of kings to open before him the
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twoleaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut: I will go
before thee, and make the crooked places straight; I will
break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars
of iron. And I will give thee the treasures of darkness and
hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I,
the LORD, who call thee by thy name, am the God of
Israel. For Jacob My servant's sake, and Israel Mine elect, I
have even called thee by thy name; I have surnamed thee,
though thou hast not known Me. I am the LORD, and there
is none else; there is no God besides Me. I girded thee,
though thou hast not known Me, that they may know from
the rising of the sun and from the west that there is none
besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form
the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create
evil; I, the LORD, do all these things.
Psalm 96 “Cantate Domino”
O
SING unto the LORD a new song; * sing unto the
LORD, all the whole earth.
2 Sing unto the LORD, and praise his Name; * be telling of
his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his honour unto the heathen, * and his wonders
unto all peoples.
4 For the LORD is great, and cannot worthily be praised;*
he is more to be feared than all gods.
5 As for all the gods of the heathen, they are but idols; *
but it is the LORD that made the heavens.
6 Glory and worship are before him; * power and honour
are in his sanctuary.
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7 Ascribe unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the peoples, *
ascribe unto the LORD worship and power.
8 Ascribe unto the LORD the honour due unto his Name; *
bring presents, and come into his courts.
9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; * let the
whole earth stand in awe of him.
10 Tell it out among the heathen, that the LORD is King,
and that it is he who hath made the round world so fast
that it cannot be moved; * and how that he shall judge
the peoples righteously.
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; * let
the sea make a noise, and all that therein is.
12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it; * then shall
all the trees of the wood rejoice before the LORD.
13 For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth; * and
with righteousness to judge the world, and the peoples
with his truth.
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
P
aul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, Unto the church of the
Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the
Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you and peace from God
our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to
God always for you all, making mention of you in our
prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith,
and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus
Christ, in the sight of God and our Father, knowing,
brethren beloved, of your election by God. For our Gospel
came unto you not in word only, but also in power and in
the Holy Ghost and in much assurance, as ye know what
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manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye
became followers of us and of the Lord, having received
the Word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy
Ghost, so that ye were examples to all who believe in
Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded forth the
Word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but
also in every place your faith to Godward is spread abroad,
so that we need not speak anything. For they themselves
show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you,
and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and
true God, and to wait for His Son from Heaven, whom He
raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivered us from the
wrath to come.
Proper 25
Sunday closest to October 26
Exodus 22:21-27
"Thou shalt neither vex a stranger nor oppress him, for ye
were strangers in the land of Egypt. Ye shall not afflict any
widow or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise,
and they cry at all unto Me, I will surely hear their cry; and
My wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword;
and your wives shall be widows, and your children
fatherless. "If thou lend money to any of My people who
are poor among thee, thou shalt not be to him as a usurer,
neither shalt thou lay upon him usury. If thou at all take thy
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neighbor's raiment in pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him
by the time the sun goeth down, for that is his only
covering. It is his raiment for his skin. Wherein shall he
sleep? And it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto Me,
that I will hear, for I am gracious.
Psalms 1 “Beatus vir qui non abiit”
B
LESSED is the man that hath not walked in the
counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of
sinners, * and hath not sat in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; * and in his
law will he exercise himself day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the water-side, *
that will bring forth his fruit in due season.
4 His leaf also shall not wither; * and look, whatsoever he
doeth, it shall prosper.
5 As for the ungodly, it is not so with them; * but they are
like the chaff, which the wind scattereth away from the
face of the earth.
6 Therefore the ungodly shall not be able to stand in the
judgment, * neither the sinners in the congregation of the
righteous.
7 But the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous; * and
the way of the ungodly shall perish.
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
P
aul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, Unto the church of the
Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the
Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you and peace from God
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our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to
God always for you all, making mention of you in our
prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith,
and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus
Christ, in the sight of God and our Father, knowing,
brethren beloved, of your election by God. For our Gospel
came unto you not in word only, but also in power and in
the Holy Ghost and in much assurance, as ye know what
manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye
became followers of us and of the Lord, having received
the Word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy
Ghost, so that ye were examples to all who believe in
Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded forth the
Word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but
also in every place your faith to Godward is spread abroad,
so that we need not speak anything. For they themselves
show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you,
and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and
true God, and to wait for His Son from Heaven, whom He
raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivered us from the
wrath to come.
Proper 26
Sunday closest to November 2
Micah 3:5-12
T
hus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make
my people err, that bite with their teeth and cry
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"Peace"; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they
even prepare war against him: "Therefore night shall be
unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be
dark unto you, that ye shall not divine. And the sun shall go
down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over
them. Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners
confounded; yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is
no answer from God." But truly I am full of power by the
Spirit of the LORD, and of judgment and of might, to
declare unto Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.
Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob and
princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment and
pervert all equity: They build up Zion with blood and
Jerusalem with iniquity. The heads thereof judge for
reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the
prophets thereof divine for money. Yet will they lean upon
the LORD and say, "Is not the LORD among us? No evil
can come upon us." Therefore shall Zion for your sake be
plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and
the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.
Psalms 43 “Judica me, Deus”
G
IVE sentence with me, O God, and defend my cause
against the ungodly people; * O deliver me from the
deceitful and wicked man.
2 For thou art the God of my strength; why hast thou put
me from thee? * and why go I so heavily, while the
enemy oppresseth me?
3 O send out thy light and thy truth, that they may lead me,
* and bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy dwelling;
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4 And that I may go unto the altar of God, even unto the
God of my joy and gladness; * and upon the harp will I
give thanks unto thee, O God, my God.
5 Why art thou so heavy, O my soul? * and why art thou so
disquieted within me?
6 O put thy trust in God; * for I will yet give him thanks,
which is the help of my countenance, and my God.
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13,17-20
F
or ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail; for
laboring night and day, because we would not be a
burden unto any of you, we preached unto you the Gospel
of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and
justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you
that believe. Ye know how we exhorted and comforted and
charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, that
ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto
His Kingdom and glory. For this cause also we thank God
without ceasing: because when ye received the Word of
God, which ye heard from us, ye received it not as the word
of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which also
worketh effectually in you that believe. But we, brethren,
being taken away from you for a short time (in presence,
but not in heart), endeavored the more abundantly and with
great desire to see your face. Therefore we would have
come unto you -- even I, Paul, time and again -- but Satan
hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of
rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord
Jesus Christ at His coming? For ye are our glory and joy.
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Proper 27
Sunday closest to November 9
Amos 5:18-24
W
oe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! To
what end is it for you? The day of the LORD is
darkness, and not light: as if a man fled from a lion, and a
bear met him; or went into the house and leaned his hand
on the wall, and a serpent bit him. Shall not the day of the
LORD be darkness, and not light? Even very dark, and no
brightness in it? "I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will
not smell the scent in your solemn assemblies. Though ye
offer Me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not
accept them; neither will I regard the peace offerings of
your fat beasts. Take thou away from Me the noise of thy
songs, for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let
judgment run down like waters, and righteousness as a
mighty stream.
Psalm 70 “Deus, in adjutorium”
H
ASTE thee, O God, to deliver me; * make haste to
help me, O LORD.
2 Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my
soul; * let them be turned backward and put to confusion
that wish me evil.
3 Let them for their reward be soon brought to shame, *
that cry over me, There! there!
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4 But let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad in thee:
* and let all such as delight in thy salvation say alway,
The Lord be praised.
5 As for me, I am poor and in misery: * haste thee unto me,
O God.
6 Thou art my helper, and my redeemer: * O LORD, make
no long tarrying.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
B
ut I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning those who are asleep, that ye sorrow not,
even as others who have no hope. For if we believe that
Jesus died and rose again, even so will God bring with Him
those also who sleep in Jesus. For this we say unto you by
the Word of the Lord: that we who are alive and remain
unto the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who
are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from
Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and
with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise
first; then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
And so shall we ever be with the Lord. Therefore comfort
one another with these words.
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Proper 28
Sunday closest to November 16
Zephaniah 1:7,12-18
H
old thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD, for
the day of the LORD is at hand. For the LORD hath
prepared a sacrifice; He hath bidden His guests. And it
shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem
with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their
dregs, that say in their heart, `The LORD will not do good,
neither will He do evil.' Therefore their goods shall become
a booty, and their houses a desolation. They shall also build
houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant
vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof." The great day of
the LORD is near; it is near and hasteneth greatly, even the
voice of the day of the LORD; the mighty man shall cry
there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble
and distress, a day of waste and desolation, a day of
darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick
darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm against the
fortified cities and against the high towers. "And I will
bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind
men, because they have sinned against the LORD; and their
blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the
dung." Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to
deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole
land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy, for He
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indeed shall make a speedy riddance of all them that dwell
in the land.
Psalm 90 “Domine, refugium”
L
ORD, thou hast been our refuge, * from one
generation to another.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever the
earth and the world were made, * thou art God from
everlasting, and world without end.
3 Thou turnest man to destruction; * again thou sayest,
Come again, ye children of men.
4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday
when it is past, * and as a watch in the night.
5 As soon as thou scatterest them they are even as a sleep;
* and fade away suddenly like the grass.
6 In the morning it is green, and groweth up; * but in the
evening it is cut down, dried up, and withered.
7 For we consume away in thy displeasure, * and are afraid
at thy wrathful indignation.
8 Thou hast set our misdeeds before thee; * and our secret
sins in the light of thy countenance.
9 For when thou art angry all our days are gone: * we bring
our years to an end, as it were a tale that is told.
10 The days of our age are threescore years and ten; and
though men be so strong that they come to fourscore
years, * yet is their strength then but labour and sorrow;
so soon passeth it away, and we are gone.
11 But who regardeth the power of thy wrath? * or feareth
aright thy indignation?
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12 So teach us to number our days, * that we may apply our
hearts unto wisdom.
13 Turn thee again, O LORD, at the last, * and be gracious
unto thy servants.
14 O satisfy us with thy mercy, and that soon: * so shall we
rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.
15 Comfort us again now after the time that thou hast
plagued us; * and for the years wherein we have suffered
adversity.
16 Show thy servants thy work, * and their children thy
glory.
17 And the glorious majesty of the LORD our God be upon
us: * prosper thou the work of our hands upon us; O
prosper thou our handy-work.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-10
B
ut as to the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no
need that I write unto you. For you yourselves know
perfectly that the Day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in
the night. For when they are saying, "Peace and safety,"
then sudden destruction cometh upon them as travail upon
a woman with child, and they shall not escape. But ye,
brethren, are not in darkness, that that Day should overtake
you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light and the
children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others, but let us watch and
be sober. For those who sleep, sleep in the night; and those
who are drunken are drunken in the night. But let us who
are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith
and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God
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hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by
our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us, that, whether we
wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
Proper 29
Sunday closest to November 23
Ezekiel 34:11-17
"`For thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold I, even I, will both
search My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh
out his flock on the day that he is among his sheep that are
scattered, so will I seek out My sheep and will deliver them
out of all places where they have been scattered on the
cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the
people and gather them from the countries, and will bring
them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains
of Israel by the rivers and in all the inhabited places of the
country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the
high mountains of Israel shall their fold be; there shall they
lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon
the mountains of Israel. I will feed My flock, and I will
cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. I will seek
that which was lost and bring back that which was driven
away, and will bind up that which was broken and will
strengthen that which was sick. But I will destroy the fat
and the strong: I will feed them with judgment.
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"`And as for you, O My flock, thus saith the Lord GOD:
Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams
and the hegoats.
Psalm 95 “Venite, exultemus”
O
COME, let us sing unto the LORD; * let us heartily
rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; * and
show ourselves glad in him with psalms.
3 For the LORD is a great God; * and a great King above
all gods.
4 In his hand are all the corners of the earth; * and the
strength of the hills is his also.
5 The sea is his, and he made it; * and his hands prepared
the dry land.
6 O come, let us worship and fall down, * and kneel before
the LORD our Maker.
7 For he is the Lord our God; * and we are the people of his
pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
1 Corinthians 15:20-28
B
ut now Christ is risen from the dead, and become the
firstfruits of those who slept. For since by man came
death, by Man came also the resurrection of the dead. For
as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive;
but every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits;
afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. Then
cometh the end when He shall have delivered up the
Kingdom to God, even the Father, when He shall have put
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down all rule, and all authority and power. For He must
reign until He hath put all enemies under His feet. The last
enemy that shall be destroyed is death, for "He hath put all
things under His feet." But when He saith "all things" are
put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, who did
put all things under Him. And when all things shall be
subdued unto Him, then shall the Son Himself also be
subject unto Him who put all things under Him, that God
may be all in all.
Prepared
by
Saint Mary of the Angels
811 Monroe Street
La Porte, Indiana
276