Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
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 4 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 5 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. 6 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 7 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 8 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 2 3 4 5 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, 14 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 18 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. 19 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. 20 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. 21 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. 22 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. 24 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 25 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. 26 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. 28 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: * 29 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 30 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 31 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. 32 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. 34 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. 38 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." \ 42 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 43 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. 44 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 45 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. 47 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 48 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. 49 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. 50 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 51 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 52 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. 53 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 54 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 55 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. 56 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 57 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 58 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 59 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. 60 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. 61 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. 62 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 63 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. 64 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. 65 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. 66 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. 67 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 68 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, 69 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 70 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: 71 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. 72 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, 73 "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 74 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." 75 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. 76 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 77 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. 78 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." 79 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. 80 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 81 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 82 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. 83 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 84 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 85 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 86 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 87 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. 88 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." 89 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. 90 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 91 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 92 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. 93 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 94 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 95 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 96 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 97 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 98 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. 99 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. 100 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. 101 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 102 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. 103 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 104 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 105 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. 106 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. 107 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 108 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? 109 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 110 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 111 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!" 112 118:14-29 “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. 113 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 115 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 116 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. 117 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 119 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 120 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. 121 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 122 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. 123 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 126 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 127 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 128 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 129 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; 130 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. 131 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. 132 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. 134 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. 137 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 140 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. 142 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 147 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. 173 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. 175 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 189 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." 190 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 191 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 192 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. 193 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. 194 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. 195 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 196 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, 197 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. 198 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. 199 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 200 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 201 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. 202 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 203 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, 204 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. 205 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. 206 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. 207 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; 208 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 209 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 210 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. 211 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. 212 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. 213 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. 214 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. 215 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. 216 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. 217 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. 218 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. 219 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, 220 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 221 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. 222 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 223 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 224 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. 225 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. 226 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. 227 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. 228 136 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. 229 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; 230 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. 231 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. 232 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 233 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. 234 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. 235 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 236 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 237 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. 238 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 239 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 240 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. 241 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. 242 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 243 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. 244 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, 245 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 246 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. 247 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, 248 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 249 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. 250 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. 251 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, 252 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 253 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. 254 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 255 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. 256 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? 257 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 258 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. 259 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 260 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 261 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. 262 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 263 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 264 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 265 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 266 "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; 267 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. 268 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! 269 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. 270 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 271 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? 272 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 273 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. 274 "`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 275 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