Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God, * and the firmament shows his handiwork.

One day speaks to another, * and one night gives knowledge to another.

There is neither speech nor language, * and their voices are not heard;

But their sound has gone out into all lands, * and their words to the ends of the world.

In them he has set a tent for the sun, * which comes forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoices like a strong man to run his course.

It goes forth from the uttermost part of the heavens, and runs about to the end of it again, * and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; * the testimony of the Lord is sure, and gives wisdom to the simple.

The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoice the heart; * the commandment of the Lord is pure, and gives light to the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean, and endures for ever; * the judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; * sweeter also than honey, than the drippings from the honeycomb.

Moreover, by them is your servant taught, * and in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can tell how often he offends? * O cleanse me from my secret faults.

Keep your servant also from presumptuous sins, lest they get the dominion over me; * so shall I be undefiled, and innocent of great offense.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable in your sight, * O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 20

May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble, * the Name of the God of Jacob defend you;

Send you help from the sanctuary, * and strengthen you out of Zion;

Remember all your offerings, * and accept your burnt sacrifice;

Grant you your heart’s desire, * and accomplish all your plans.

We will rejoice in your salvation, and triumph in the Name of the Lord our God; * may the Lord grant all your petitions.

Now I know that the Lord helps his Anointed, and will answer him from his holy heaven, * even with the saving strength of his right hand.

Some put their trust in chariots, and some in horses, * but we put our trust in the Name of the Lord our God.

They are brought down and fallen, * but we will arise and stand upright.

O Lord, save the King, * and hear us when we call upon you.

Psalm 21

The King shall rejoice in your strength, O Lord; * exceedingly glad shall he be of your salvation.

You have given him his heart’s desire, * and have not denied him the request of his lips.

For you shall meet him with the blessings of goodness, * and shall set a crown of pure gold upon his head.

He asked you for life, and you gave it to him: * length of days, for ever and ever.

His honor is great because of your salvation; * glory and majesty shall you lay upon him.

For you shall give him everlasting felicity * and make him glad with the joy of your countenance.

For the King puts his trust in the Lord, * and because of the mercy of the Most High, he shall not be moved.

All your enemies shall feel your hand; * your right hand shall find those who hate you.

You shall make them like a fiery oven in the time of your wrath; * the Lord shall destroy them in his displeasure, and the fire shall consume them.

Their offspring you shall root out of the earth, * and their seed from among the children of men.

For they intended evil against you, * and imagined wicked schemes, which they are not able to perform.

Therefore you shall put them to flight, * and the strings of your bow you shall aim at their faces.

Be exalted, O Lord, in your own strength; * so we will sing and praise your power.

Or the sixty-day cycle: 8, 11

The First Lesson

2 Sam 22

And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me; In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind. And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies. Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled. The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice. And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them. And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils. He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters; He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me. The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them. I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity. Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight. With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright. With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury. And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down. For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet: and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip. I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them. And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet. For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me. They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not. Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad. Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me. Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me. Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places. The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation. It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me, And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.

The Second Lesson

Eph 3

For 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 to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in 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 fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof 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: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

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Psalm 18

I will love you, O Lord my strength; * the Lord is my rock, my stronghold, and my deliverer,

My Savior, my God, and my might in whom I will trust, * my buckler, the horn of my salvation, and my refuge.

I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; * so shall I be safe from my enemies.

The waves of death encompassed me; * the floods that would swallow me up made me afraid.

The cords of the grave surrounded me; * the snares of death overtook me.

In my trouble I called upon the Lord * and cried unto my God for help.

From his holy temple he heard my voice. * My complaint came before him; it entered into his ears.

The earth trembled and quaked; * the very foundations of the hills shook and were removed, because he was angry.

There went out smoke from his nostrils and a consuming fire out of his mouth; * coals of fire issued from his presence.

He parted the heavens also and came down, * and it was dark under his feet.

He rode upon the cherubim and flew; * he came flying upon the wings of the wind.

He made darkness his secret place; * dark waters and thick clouds were his covering round about him.

At the brightness of his presence his clouds broke forth: * hailstones and coals of fire.

The Lord also thundered out of heaven, and the Most High gave forth his voice: * hailstones and coals of fire.

He sent out his arrows and scattered them; * he cast forth lightning and destroyed them.

The springs of water were seen, and the foundations of the world were uncovered, * at your rebuke, O Lord, at the blasting of the breath of your displeasure.

He reached down from on high to grasp me, * and he took me out of many waters.

He delivered me from my strongest enemy, and from those who hated me, * for they were too mighty for me.

They confronted me in the day of my trouble, * but the Lord upheld me.

He brought me forth into a place of liberty; * he delivered me, because I had found favor in his eyes.

The Lord rewarded me according to my righteous dealing; * according to the cleanness of my hands he recompensed me,

Because I had kept the ways of the Lord * and had not forsaken my God, as the wicked do.

For I had an eye unto all his laws * and did not cast out his commandments from me.

I was also uncorrupt before him * and kept myself from my own wickedness.

Therefore the Lord rewarded me according to my righteous dealing, * and according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

With the faithful you show yourself faithful, * and with the upright you show yourself upright.

With the pure you show yourself pure, * but with the crooked you show yourself shrewd.

For you shall save the people who are in adversity, * but shall bring down the high looks of the proud.

You also shall light my lamp; * the Lord my God shall turn my darkness into light.

For with you I shall crush a host of men, * and with the help of my God I can leap over a wall.

The way of God is an undefiled way; the word of the Lord also is tried in the fire; * he is the defender of all those who put their trust in him.

For who is God, but the Lord, * or who is a rock, except our God?

It is God who girds me with strength for war * and makes my way perfect.

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer * and sets me up on high.

He teaches my hands to fight, * and my arms shall bend even a bow of bronze.

You have given me the shield of your salvation; * your right hand also shall hold me up, and your loving correction shall make me great.

You have made a broad path for my feet, * and my footsteps shall not slip.

I will follow my enemies and overtake them; * I will not turn again until I have destroyed them.

I will smite them, and they shall not be able to stand. * They shall fall under my feet.

You have girded me with strength for the battle; * you shall throw down my enemies under me.

You have made my enemies turn their backs upon me, * and I shall destroy those who hate me.

They shall cry, but there shall be none to help them; * even unto the Lord shall they cry, but he shall not hear them.

I will beat them as small as dust before the wind; * I will tread them down as mire in the streets.

You shall deliver me from the strivings of the peoples, * and you shall make me the head of the nations.

A people whom I have not known * shall be in subjection under me.

As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me; * and foreigners shall cringe before me.

Foreigners shall lose heart, * and, being afraid, shall come out of their strongholds.

The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, * and praised be the God of my salvation,

Even the God who sees that I am avenged * and subdues the peoples under me.

It is he who delivers me from my cruel enemies, and lifts me up above my adversaries; * you shall rid me of the wicked.

For this cause will I give thanks unto you, O Lord, among the nations, * and sing praises unto your Name.

Great prosperity he gives unto his King, * and shows loving-kindness to David his Anointed, and unto his seed for evermore.

The First Lesson

Mic 1

The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple. For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth. And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place. For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Judah? are they not Jerusalem? Therefore I will make Samaria as an heap of the field, and as plantings of a vineyard: and I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will discover the foundations thereof. And all the graven images thereof shall be beaten to pieces, and all the hires thereof shall be burned with the fire, and all the idols thereof will I lay desolate: for she gathered it of the hire of an harlot, and they shall return to the hire of an harlot. Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls. For her wound is incurable; for it is come unto Judah; he is come unto the gate of my people, even to Jerusalem. ¶ Declare ye it not at Gath, weep ye not at all: in the house of Aphrah roll thyself in the dust. Pass ye away, thou inhabitant of Saphir, having thy shame naked: the inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth in the mourning of Beth-ezel; he shall receive of you his standing. For the inhabitant of Maroth waited carefully for good: but evil came down from the LORD unto the gate of Jerusalem. O thou inhabitant of Lachish, bind the chariot to the swift beast: she is the beginning of the sin to the daughter of Zion: for the transgressions of Israel were found in thee. Therefore shalt thou give presents to Moresheth-gath: the houses of Achzib shall be a lie to the kings of Israel. Yet will I bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah: he shall come unto Adullam the glory of Israel. Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; for they are gone into captivity from thee.

The Second Lesson

Matt 5:21-48

¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. ¶ Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

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Psalm 15

Lord, who shall dwell in your tabernacle? * Or who shall rest upon your holy hill?

Whoever leads an uncorrupt life, * and does that which is right, and speaks the truth from his heart.

He has not spoken deceitfully with his tongue, nor done evil to his neighbor, * and has not slandered his neighbor.

In his eyes the wicked is rejected, * and he makes much of those who fear the Lord.

He swears to his neighbor and disappoints him not, * though it were to his own hindrance.

He has not given his money for usury, * nor taken a bribe against the innocent.

Whoever does these things * shall never be overthrown.

Psalm 16

Preserve me, O God, * for in you have I put my trust.

O my soul, you have said unto the Lord, * “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”

All my delight is upon the saints who are on the earth, * and upon those who excel in virtue.

But those who run after another god * shall have great trouble.

Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, * neither make mention of their names with my lips.

The Lord himself is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup; * you shall maintain my lot.

The boundaries have fallen for me in pleasant places; * indeed, I have a goodly heritage.

I will thank the Lord for giving me counsel; * my heart also chastens me in the night season.

I have set the Lord always before me; * he is at my right hand; therefore I shall not fall.

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices. * My flesh also shall rest in hope.

For you shall not leave my soul in the grave, * neither shall you allow your Holy One to see corruption.

You shall show me the path of life; in your presence is the fullness of joy, * and at your right hand there is pleasure for evermore.

Psalm 17

Hear what is right, O Lord; consider my complaint; * hearken to my prayer, which does not come from lying lips.

Let justice for me come forth from your presence, * and let your eyes look upon that which is right.

You have tested and visited my heart in the night season. * If you try me you shall find no wickedness in me; my mouth shall not offend.

As for the works of others, * because of the words of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.

Hold my steps firmly in your paths, * that my footsteps may not slip.

I have called upon you, O God, for you will hear me; * incline your ear to me and hearken to my words.

Show your marvelous loving-kindness, you that are the Savior of those who put their trust in you * from the ones who resist your right hand.

Keep me as the apple of your eye; * hide me under the shadow of your wings,

From the ungodly who assault me, * even from my enemies who encompass me to take away my soul.

They have closed their heart to pity, * and their mouth speaks proud things.

They lie waiting in my way on every side, * watching how they may cast me down to the ground,

Like a lion that is greedy for its prey, * and like a young lion lurking in secret places.

Rise up, O Lord, confront them and cast them down; * deliver my soul from the ungodly by your sword and by your hand,

From those, O Lord, from those whose portion in life is of the world, * whose bellies you fill with your hidden treasure.

They have children at their desire, * and leave the rest of their abundance for their little ones.

But as for me, I will behold your presence in righteousness; * and when I awake and see your likeness, I shall be satisfied.

Or the sixty-day cycle: 9

The First Lesson

2 Sam 21

Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.) Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD? And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you. And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel, Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them. But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite: And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest. ¶ And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night. And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done. ¶ And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead, which had stolen them from the street of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa: And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged. And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land. ¶ Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint. And Ishbi-benob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel. And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant. And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, a Beth-lehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant. And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him. These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

The Second Lesson

Eph 2:11-end

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

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Psalm 12

Help me, O Lord, for there is no godly one left; * for the faithful have vanished from among the children of men.

They speak falsely, every one with his neighbor; * they flatter with their lips and deceive with a double heart.

The Lord shall root out all deceitful lips * and the tongues that speak proud things,

Which have said, “With our tongue will we prevail; * our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”

“Now because of the trouble of the needy * and because of the deep sighing of the poor,

I will rise up,” says the Lord, * “and will give help to every one who longs for it.”

The words of the Lord are pure words, even as silver that is tried in the furnace, * and as gold that is purified seven times in the fire.

Preserve us, O Lord, and save us * from this perverse and evil generation.

The ungodly walk on every side * when wickedness is exalted among the children of men.

Psalm 13

How long will you utterly forget me, O Lord? * How long will you hide your face from me?

How long shall I seek counsel in my soul and be so vexed in my heart? * How long shall my enemy triumph over me?

Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; * give light to my eyes, that I sleep not in death,

Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; * for if I am cast down, those who trouble me will rejoice.

But my trust is in your mercy, * and my heart is joyful in your salvation.

I will sing of the Lord, because he has dealt so lovingly with me; * indeed, I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 14

The fool has said in his heart, * “There is no God.”

They are corrupt and have become abominable in their doings; * there is none that does good, no, not one.

The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, * to see if there were any who would understand and seek after God.

But they have all gone astray; they have altogether become abominable; * there is none that does good, no, not one.

Have they no knowledge, all those workers of evil, * who eat up my people as bread, and call not upon the Lord?

There were they brought into great fear, even where no fear was; * for God is in the generation of the righteous.

Though you have made a mockery of the counsel of the poor, * yet they put their trust in the Lord.

Who shall give salvation unto Israel out of Zion? * When the Lord restores his captive people, then shall Jacob rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

The First Lesson

Jonah 4

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 my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee 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 him 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 of the gourd. But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered. And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, 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 for 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 the which thou hast not laboured, 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 sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

The Second Lesson

Matt 5:1-20

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. ¶ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. ¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

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Psalm 9

I will give thanks unto you, O Lord, with my whole heart; * I will speak of all your marvelous works.

I will be glad and rejoice in you; * indeed, my songs will I sing of your Name, O Most High.

When my enemies are driven back, * they shall fall and perish at your presence;

For you have maintained my right and my cause; * you sit on your throne judging right.

You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the ungodly; * you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.

As for the enemy, their destruction has come; they are in perpetual ruin; * like the cities which you have destroyed, their memory has perished with them.

But the Lord sits enthroned for ever; * he has prepared his seat for judgment.

For he shall judge the world in righteousness, * and minister true judgment to the peoples.

The Lord will be a defense for the oppressed, * even a refuge in the time of trouble;

And those who know your Name will put their trust in you, * for you, Lord, have never failed those who seek you.

O praise the Lord who dwells in Zion; * tell the peoples what things he has done.

For when he takes vengeance for blood, he remembers them, * and forgets not the cry of the poor.

Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider the trouble I suffer from those who hate me, * O you who lift me up from the gates of death,

That I may tell of all your praises within the gates of the daughter of Zion; * I will rejoice in your salvation.

The nations have sunk down in the pit that they made; * in the same net which they hid secretly is their foot caught.

The Lord is known to execute judgment; * the ungodly are trapped in the works of their own hands.

The wicked shall return to the grave, * even all the peoples that forget God.

For the poor shall not always be forgotten; * the patient hope of the meek shall not perish for ever.

Rise up, O Lord, and let them not have the upper hand; * let the nations be judged in your sight.

Put them in fear, O Lord, * that the nations may know themselves to be merely human.

Psalm 10

Why do you stand so far off, O Lord, * and hide your face in the time of need and trouble?

The ungodly in his pride persecutes the poor; * let him be taken in the crafty schemes that he has imagined.

For the ungodly has boasted of his own heart’s desire; * the covetous holds the Lord in contempt and blasphemes his Name.

The ungodly is so proud that he cares not for God; * neither is God in any of his thoughts.

His ways are always grievous; * your judgments are far above, out of his sight, and therefore he defies all his enemies.

For he has said in his heart, “I shall never be cast down; * no harm shall happen to me.”

His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and fraud; * under his tongue are ungodliness and vanity.

He sits lurking in the thievish corners of the streets, and in his hiding places he murders the innocent; * his eyes are set against the poor.

For he lies waiting secretly, even as a lion lurks in his den, * that he may ravish the poor.

He ravishes the poor * when he gets him into his net.

The innocent is crushed and humbled before him, * and the weak cannot stand against his might.

He has said in his heart, “God has forgotten; * he hides away his face, and he will never see it.”

Arise, O Lord God, and lift up your hand; * forget not the poor.

Why should the wicked blaspheme God, * while he says in his heart, “You, O God, do not care”?

Surely you have seen it, for you behold ungodliness and wrong,* that you may take the matter into your hand.

The poor commits himself unto you, * for you are the helper of the fatherless.

Break the power of the ungodly and malicious; * search out his ungodliness until you have brought it all to light.

The Lord is King for ever and ever, * and the nations have perished out of the land.

O Lord, you have heard the desire of the poor; * you prepare their heart, and your ear hearkens to it,

To help the fatherless and poor with justice, * that the one who is of the earth may terrify no more.

Psalm 11

In the Lord I put my trust; * how then can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird unto the hill;

For behold, the ungodly bend their bow, and make ready their arrow upon the string, * that they may secretly shoot at those who are true of heart.

For the foundations will be cast down, * and what can the righteous do?”

The Lord is in his holy temple; * the Lord’s throne is in heaven.

His eyes consider the poor, * and his eyelids try the children of men.

The Lord tests the righteous, * but the ungodly, and those who delight in wickedness, his soul abhors.

Upon the ungodly he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, storm and tempest; * this shall be their portion to drink.

For the righteous Lord loves righteousness; * the upright shall behold his face.

Or the sixty-day cycle: 5, 6

The First Lesson

2 Sam 20

And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel. So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem. ¶ And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood. ¶ Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present. So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him. And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us. And there went out after him Joab’s men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri. When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab’s garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out. And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him. But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri. And one of Joab’s men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab. And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still. When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri. ¶ And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Beth-maachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him. And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down. ¶ Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee. And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear. Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter. I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD? And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy. The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall. Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king. ¶ Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites: And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder: And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests: And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.

The Second Lesson

Eph 2:1-10

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

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Psalm 6

O Lord, rebuke me not in your indignation, * neither chasten me in your displeasure.

Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak; * O Lord, heal me, for my bones are racked.

My soul also is greatly troubled; * but, Lord, how long will you punish me?

Turn, O Lord, and deliver my soul; * O save me for your mercy’s sake.

For in death no one remembers you, * and who will give you thanks in the grave?

I am weary with my groaning; * every night I flood my bed and drench my couch with my tears.

My eyes have become dim because of trouble, * and worn away because of all my enemies.

Away from me, all you who work wickedness, * for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.

The Lord has heard my petition; * the Lord will receive my prayer.

All my enemies shall be confounded and greatly vexed; * they shall be turned back and put to shame suddenly.

Psalm 7

O Lord my God, in you have I put my trust; * save me from all those who persecute me, and deliver me,

Lest they devour me like a lion and tear me in pieces * while there is none to help.

O Lord my God, if I have done any such thing, * if there be any wickedness in my hands,

If I have repaid evil to him who has dealt with me as a friend, * or plundered him who without any cause is my enemy,

Then let my enemy pursue me and overtake me, * let him trample my life into the ground, and lay my honor in the dust.

Stand up, O Lord, in your wrath, and lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies; * rise up for me in the judgment that you have commanded.

Then shall the assembly of the peoples be gathered about you; * lift yourself up again, O Lord, O judge of all the nations.

Give sentence for me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, * and according to the innocence that is in me.

O let the wickedness of the ungodly come to an end, * but establish the just.

For the righteous God * tries the very hearts and minds.

God is my shield and my defense; * he preserves those who are true of heart.

God is a righteous judge, strong and patient; * and God is provoked every day.

If a man will not repent, God will whet his sword; * he will bend his bow, and make it ready.

He has prepared for him the instruments of death; * he makes his arrows shafts of fire.

Behold, the ungodly is in labor with mischief; * he has conceived wickedness and brought forth lies.

He has made a pit and dug it out, * but will himself fall into the trap that he made for others.

For his malice shall come upon his own head, * and his wickedness shall fall on his own scalp.

I will give thanks unto the Lord, according to his righteousness, * and I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 8

O Lord our Governor, how excellent is your Name in all the world; * you have set your glory above the heavens!

Out of the mouth of babes and infants you have ordained strength, because of your enemies, * that you might still the enemy and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens, even the works of your fingers, * the moon and the stars, which you have ordained,

What is man, that you are mindful of him, * the son of man, that you visit him?

You made him little lower than the angels, * to crown him with glory and honor.

You made him to have dominion over the works of your hands,* and you have put all things in subjection under his feet:

All sheep and oxen, * even the beasts of the field,

The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, * and whatsoever walks through the paths of the seas.

O Lord our Governor, * how excellent is your Name in all the world!

The First Lesson

Jonah 3

And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days’ journey. And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. ¶ So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? ¶ And 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.

The Second Lesson

Matt 4

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. ¶ Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. ¶ From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. ¶ And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. ¶ And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.

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Psalm 1

Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, * nor stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of the scornful;

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, * and on his law will he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the waterside, * that will bring forth his fruit in due season.

His leaf also shall not wither; * and look, whatever he does, it shall prosper.

As for the ungodly, it is not so with them; * but they are like the chaff, which the wind scatters away from the face of the earth.

Therefore the ungodly shall not be able to stand in the judgment, * neither the sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, * but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 2

Why do the nations so furiously rage together? * And why do the peoples devise a vain thing?

The kings of the earth stand up, and the rulers take counsel together, * against the Lord and against his Anointed:

“Let us break their bonds asunder * and cast away their cords from us.”

He who dwells in heaven shall laugh them to scorn; * the Lord shall hold them in derision.

Then shall he speak to them in his wrath * and terrify them in his great anger:

“I myself have set my King * upon my holy hill of Zion.”

I will proclaim the decree of the Lord; * he said to me, “You are my Son; this day have I begotten you.

Ask of me, and I shall give you the nations for your inheritance * and the ends of the earth for your possession.

You shall bruise them with a rod of iron * and break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Be wise now, O you kings; * be warned, you judges of the earth.

Serve the Lord in fear, * and rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way; for his wrath is quickly kindled. * Blessed are all those who put their trust in him.

Psalm 3

Lord, how they are increased who trouble me; * many are those who rise against me.

Many there are who say of my soul, * “There is no help for him in his God.”

But you, O Lord, are my defender; * you are my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.

I called upon the Lord with my voice, * and he heard me from his holy hill.

I lay down and slept, and rose up again, * for the Lord sustained me.

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of the people * who have set themselves against me round about.

Rise up, O Lord, and help me, O my God; * for you smite all my enemies on the cheek-bone; you have broken the teeth of the ungodly.

Salvation belongs to the Lord; * may your blessing be upon your people.

Psalm 4

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness; * you set me free when I was in trouble; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

O you children of men, how long will you blaspheme my honor, * and have such pleasure in vanity, and seek after falsehood?

Know this also, that the Lord has chosen for himself the one that is godly; * when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.

Stand in awe, and sin not; * commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.

Offer the sacrifice of righteousness * and put your trust in the Lord.

There are many that say, “Who will show us any good?” * Lord, lift up the light of your countenance upon us.

You have put gladness in my heart, * more than when others’ grain and wine and oil increased.

I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest; * for you, Lord, only, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 5

Give ear to my words, O Lord; * consider my meditation.

O hearken unto the voice of my calling, my King and my God,* for unto you will I make my prayer.

My voice shall you hear in the morning, O Lord; * early in the morning will I direct my prayer unto you, and will look up.

For you are not a god who has pleasure in wickedness, * neither shall any evil dwell with you.

The boastful shall not stand in your sight, * for you hate all those who work iniquity.

You shall destroy those who speak lies; * the Lord will abhor the bloodthirsty and the deceitful.

But as for me, through the multitude of your mercies I will come into your house, * and in reverence will I bow myself toward your holy temple.

Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness, because of my enemies; * make your way straight before my face.

For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; * their heart is eaten up with wickedness.

Their throat is an open sepulcher; * they flatter with their tongue.

Declare them guilty, O God; let them fall because of their own devices; * because of the multitude of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.

But let all those who put their trust in you rejoice; * let them ever give thanks because you defend them; those who love your Name shall be joyful in you.

For you, Lord, will give your blessing unto the righteous, * and with your favorable kindness you will defend him as with a shield.

Or the sixty-day cycle: 1, 2

The First Lesson

2 Sam 19

And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son. And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son! And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well. Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now. Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent. ¶ And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom. And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back? ¶ And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house. Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king? And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab. And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants. So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan. ¶ And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David. And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king. And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan; And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart. For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed? And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel? Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him. ¶ And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace. And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth? And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame. And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes. For all of my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king? And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land. And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house. ¶ And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan. Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man. And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem. And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem? I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king? Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward? Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee. And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee. And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place. Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel. ¶ And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David’s men with him, over Jordan? And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king’s cost? or hath he given us any gift? And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

The Second Lesson

Eph 1:15-end

Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 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 the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward 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 hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

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Jonah 2

Then 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 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 that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD. ¶ And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

The Second Lesson

Matt 3

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. ¶ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. ¶ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

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2 Sam 18

And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also. But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city. And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands. And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom. ¶ So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim; Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men. For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured. ¶ And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away. And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak. And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle. And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king’s son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom. Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me. Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. And ten young men that bare Joab’s armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him. And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people. And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent. ¶ Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king’s dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom’s place. ¶ Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies. And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king’s son is dead. Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran. Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready? But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi. And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone. And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near. And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings. And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings. And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king. And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king’s servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was. And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still. And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee. And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is. ¶ And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

The Second Lesson

Eph 1:1-14

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According 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 predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

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Psalm 147

Praise the Lord, for it is a good thing to sing praises unto our God; * indeed, a joyful and pleasant thing it is to be thankful.

The Lord builds up Jerusalem, * and gathers together the outcasts of Israel.

He heals those who are broken in heart, * and binds up their wounds.

He counts the number of the stars, * and calls them all by their names.

Great is our Lord, and great is his power; * indeed, his wisdom is infinite.

The Lord lifts up the meek, * and brings the ungodly down to the ground.

O sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; * sing praises with the harp unto our God,

Who covers the heavens with clouds, and prepares rain for the earth, * and makes the grass to grow upon the mountains, and plants for the use of men,

Who gives food to the cattle * and feeds the young ravens that call upon him.

He has no pleasure in the strength of a horse; * neither does he delight in any man’s strength.

But the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him * and put their trust in his mercy.

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; * praise your God, O Zion.

For he has made strong the bars of your gates * and has blessed your children within you.

He makes peace in your borders * and fills you with the finest of wheat.

He sends forth his commandment upon the earth, * and his word runs very swiftly.

He gives snow like wool * and scatters the white frost like ashes.

He casts forth his ice like crumbs; * who is able to abide his frost?

He sends out his word and melts them; * he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.

He declares his word unto Jacob, * his statutes and ordinances unto Israel.

He has not dealt so with other nations; * neither have they knowledge of his laws. Praise the Lord.

Psalm 148

Praise the Lord. O praise the Lord of heaven; * praise him in the heights.

Praise him, all you angels of his; * praise him, all his host.

Praise him, sun and moon; * praise him, all you stars of light.

Praise him, all you highest heavens, * and you waters that are above the heavens.

Let them praise the Name of the Lord, * for he spoke the word, and they were made; he commanded, and they were created.

He has made them stand fast for ever and ever; * he has given them a law which shall not be broken.

Praise the Lord upon earth, * you sea monsters and all deeps;

Fire and hail, snow and fog, * wind and storm, fulfilling his word;

Mountains and all hills, * fruitful trees and all cedars;

Beasts and all cattle, * creeping things and birds of the air;

Kings of the earth and all peoples, * princes and all rulers of the world;

Young men and maidens, * old men and children together.

Let them praise the Name of the Lord, * for his Name only is excellent, and his praise above heaven and earth.

He shall exalt the horn of his people; all his faithful shall praise him, * the children of Israel, the people who are near him. Praise the Lord.

Psalm 149

Praise the Lord. O sing unto the Lord a new song; * let the congregation of the faithful praise him.

Let Israel rejoice in the one who made him, * and let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Let them praise his Name in the dance; * let them sing praises unto him with timbrel and harp.

For the Lord has pleasure in his people * and gives victory to those who are oppressed.

Let the faithful be joyful with glory; * let them rejoice upon their beds.

Let the praises of God be in their mouth * and a two-edged sword in their hands,

To inflict vengeance on the nations, * and to rebuke the peoples,

To bind their kings in chains, * and their nobles with links of iron,

That they may execute judgment upon them, as it is written; * this is the honor of all his servants. Praise the Lord.

Psalm 150

Praise the Lord. Praise God in his holiness; * praise him in the firmament of his power.

Praise him for his mighty acts; * praise him for his excellent greatness.

Praise him with the sound of the trumpet; * praise him upon the lute and harp.

Praise him with the timbrels and dances; * praise him upon the strings and pipe.

Praise him with the resounding cymbals; * praise him with the loud cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. * O praise the Lord.

The First Lesson

Jonah 1

Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. ¶ But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not. And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou? And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. ¶ Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous. And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you. Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them. Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee. So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows. ¶ Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

The Second Lesson

Matt 2

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. ¶ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. ¶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. ¶ But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

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Psalm 144

Blessed be the Lord my strength, * who teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight,

My hope and my fortress, my stronghold and deliverer, my defender in whom I trust, * who subdues the peoples under me.

O Lord, what is man, that you have shown such respect to him, * or the son of man, that you so regard him?

Man is like a thing of nought; * his time passes away like a shadow.

Bow your heavens, O Lord, and come down; * touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

Cast forth your lightning and scatter them; * shoot out your arrows and consume them.

Send down your hand from above; * deliver me, and take me out of the great waters, from the hand of strangers,

Whose mouth talks of vain things, * and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

I will sing a new song unto you, O God, * and sing praises unto you upon a ten-stringed lute.

You have given victory to kings, * and have delivered David your servant from the peril of the sword.

Save me, and deliver me from the hand of strangers, * whose mouth talks of vain things, and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood;

That our sons may grow up as young plants, * and that our daughters may be as the polished corners of the temple,

That our storehouses may be full and plenteous with all manner of grain, * that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields,

That our oxen may be strong to labor, that there be no decay, * no leading into captivity, and no outcry in our streets.

Happy are the people of whom this is so; * indeed, blessed are the people who have the Lord for their God.

Psalm 145

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 146

Praise the Lord, O my soul; * while I live I will praise the Lord.

Indeed, as long as I have my being, * I will sing praises unto my God.

Put not your trust in princes, nor in any child of man, * for there is no help in them.

For when one breathes his last, he shall return again to the earth, * and in that day all his thoughts perish.

Blessed is the one who has 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 is therein; * who keeps his promise for ever;

Who does right to those who suffer wrong; * and who feeds the hungry.

The Lord sets prisoners free; * the Lord gives sight to the blind.

The Lord helps those who have fallen; * the Lord loves the righteous.

The Lord cares for the strangers in the land; he defends the fatherless and widow; * but the way of the ungodly he makes crooked.

The Lord shall be King for evermore, * even your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Praise the Lord.

Or the sixty-day cycle: 146

The First Lesson

2 Sam 17

Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace. And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith. And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou. And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time. For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people. Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom. And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men. Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person. So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one. Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there. And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom. ¶ Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled. Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him. Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by En-rogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David. Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man’s house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down. And the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known. And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you. Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan. ¶ And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. ¶ And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man’s son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab’s mother. So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead. ¶ And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.

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Psalm 141

Lord, I call upon you; hasten unto me, * and hear my voice when I cry unto you.

Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, * and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, * and keep the door of my lips.

O let not my heart be inclined to any evil thing; * let me not be occupied in ungodly works with those who work wickedness, lest I eat of such things as please them.

Rather, let the righteous smite me, * and in their loving-kindness reprove me.

But let not the oil of the unrighteous anoint my head; * while I live, I will pray against their wickedness.

Let their rulers be overthrown in stony places, * that they may hear my words, for they are sweet.

Let their bones lie scattered at the mouth of the grave, * as when the ploughman scatters the earth in furrows.

But my eyes look unto you, O Lord God; * in you is my refuge; O do not cast out my soul.

Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, * and from the traps of the evildoers.

Let the ungodly fall into their own nets together, * and let me ever escape them.

Psalm 142

I cried unto the Lord with my voice; * even unto the Lord I made my supplication.

I poured out my complaints before him, * and showed him my trouble.

When my spirit was in heaviness, you knew my path; * in the way wherein I walked they had secretly laid a snare for me.

I looked also to my right hand * and saw there was no one who would know me.

I had no place to flee to, * and no one cared for my soul.

I cried out to you, O Lord, and said, * “You are my refuge, and my portion in the land of the living.”

Consider my complaint, * for I am brought very low.

O deliver me from my persecutors, * for they are too strong for me.

Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks unto your Name. * When you show me your loving-kindness, then shall the righteous gather around me.

Psalm 143

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and consider my supplications; * hearken to me, for your truth and righteousness’ sake.

Enter not into judgment with your servant, * for in your sight shall no one living be justified.

For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has smitten my life down to the ground; * he has laid me in the darkness, like those who have been long dead.

Therefore my spirit faints within me, * and my heart within me is desolate.

Yet I remember the time past; I muse upon all your works; * indeed, I meditate on the works of your hands.

I stretch forth my hands to you; * my soul gasps for you as a thirsty land.

Hear me, O Lord, and very soon, for my spirit grows faint; * hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down into the pit.

O let me hear your loving-kindness in the morning, for in you have I put my trust; * show me the way that I should walk in, for I lift up my soul unto you.

Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies, * for I flee unto you to hide me.

Teach me to do the thing that pleases you, for you are my God; * let your loving Spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness.

Revive me, O Lord, for your Name’s sake; * and for your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.

Of your goodness slay my enemies, * and destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am your servant.

The First Lesson

Matt 1:18-end

¶ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

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Psalm 139

O Lord, you have searched me out and known me; * you know my sitting down and my rising up; you understand my thoughts from afar.

You examine my path and my places of rest, * and are acquainted with all my ways.

Indeed, there is not a word on my tongue, * but you, O Lord, know it altogether.

You have enclosed me behind and before, * and have laid your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, * so excellent I cannot attain to it.

Where shall I go then from your Spirit, * or where shall I flee from your presence?

If I climb up to heaven, you are there; * if I make my bed in the Grave, you are there also.

If I take the wings of the morning * and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there shall your hand lead me, * and your right hand shall hold me.

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,” * then shall my night be turned to day.

Even the darkness is not dark to you, and the night is as clear as the day; * the darkness and the light to you are both alike.

For you yourself made my inmost parts; * you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; * marvelous are your works, and my soul knows it very well.

My bones were not hidden from you * when I was made in secret and fashioned in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes beheld my substance, while I was yet unformed; * and in your book were all my members written,

Which day by day were fashioned, * when as yet there was none of them.

How dear to me are your thoughts, O God. * How great is the sum of them!

If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand. * When I wake up, I am present with you.

Oh, that you would slay the wicked, O God! * Depart from me, you bloodthirsty men.

For they speak unrighteously against you; * your enemies take your Name in vain.

Do I not hate those, O Lord, who hate you, * and do I not loathe those who rise up against you?

Indeed, I hate them with a perfect hatred; * they have become my own enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; * try me and examine my thoughts.

Look well if there be any way of wickedness in me, * and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 140

Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers, * and preserve me from the violent,

Who imagine evil in their hearts * and stir up strife all the day long.

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; * adders’ poison is under their lips.

Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the ungodly; * preserve me from the violent, who have purposed to overthrow my steps.

The proud have laid a snare for me and spread out a net with cords; * they have set traps in my way.

I said unto the Lord, “You are my God; * hear the voice of my prayers, O Lord.”

O Lord God, the strength of my salvation, * you have covered my head in the day of battle.

Let not the ungodly have their desire, O Lord; * let not their evil imagination prosper, lest they be too proud.

Let not those who encompass me lift up their heads; * let the evil of their own lips consume them.

Let hot burning coals fall upon them; * let them be cast into the fire and into the pit, that they may never rise up again.

A slanderer shall not prosper upon the earth; * evil shall hunt the wicked person to overthrow him.

I am sure that the Lord will avenge the poor * and maintain the cause of the helpless.

Surely, the righteous shall give thanks unto your Name, * and the just shall continue in your sight.

Or the sixty-day cycle: 144

The First Lesson

2 Sam 16

And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink. And the king said, And where is thy master’s son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father. Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king. ¶ And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. ¶ Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him. It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day. And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there. ¶ And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king. And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend? And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide. And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father’s presence, so will I be in thy presence. ¶ Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong. So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

The Second Lesson

Col 4

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

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Psalm 136

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, * for his mercy endures for ever.

O give thanks unto the God of all gods, * for his mercy endures for ever.

O give thanks unto the Lord of all lords, * for his mercy endures for ever.

Who alone does great wonders, * for his mercy endures for ever.

Who by his excellent wisdom made the heavens, * for his mercy endures for ever.

Who laid out the earth above the waters, * for his mercy endures for ever.

Who made the great lights, * for his mercy endures for ever;

The sun to rule the day, * for his mercy endures for ever;

The moon and the stars to govern the night, * for his mercy endures for ever.

Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, * for his mercy endures for ever;

And brought out Israel from among them, * for his mercy endures for ever;

With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, * for his mercy endures for ever.

Who divided the Red Sea in two parts, * for his mercy endures for ever;

And made Israel to pass through the midst of it, * for his mercy endures for ever;

But as for Pharaoh and his host, he overthrew them in the Red Sea, * for his mercy endures for ever.

Who led his people through the wilderness, * for his mercy endures for ever.

Who smote great kings, * for his mercy endures for ever;

And slew mighty kings, * for his mercy endures for ever;

Sihon king of the Amorites, * for his mercy endures for ever;

And Og the king of Bashan, * for his mercy endures for ever;

And gave away their land for an inheritance, * for his mercy endures for ever;

Even for an inheritance for Israel his servant, * for his mercy endures for ever.

Who remembered us when we were in trouble, * for his mercy endures for ever;

And delivered us from our enemies, * for his mercy endures for ever.

Who gives food to all flesh, * for his mercy endures for ever.

O give thanks unto the God of heaven, * for his mercy endures for ever.

O give thanks unto the Lord of lords * for his mercy endures for ever.

Psalm 137

By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept, * when we remembered you, O Zion.

As for our harps, we hung them up * upon the trees that are therein.

For those who led us away captive required of us a song and melody in our heaviness: * “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”

How shall we sing the Lord’s song * in the land of our captivity?

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, * let my right hand forget its skill.

If I do not remember you, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, * if I prefer not Jerusalem above my dearest joy.

Remember the children of Edom, O Lord, in the day of Jerusalem, * how they said, “Down with it, down with it, even to the ground.”

O daughter of Babylon, wasted with misery, * happy shall be the one who rewards you as you have done to us.

Blessed shall he be who takes your children * and throws them against the stones.

Psalm 138

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart; * even before the gods will I sing praises to you.

I will worship toward your holy temple and praise your Name, because of your loving-kindness and truth, * for you have magnified your Name and your word above all things.

When I called upon you, you heard me * and gave me increase of strength.

All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord, * for they have heard the words of your mouth.

They shall sing of the ways of the Lord, * that great is the glory of the Lord.

For though the Lord be high, yet he has respect for the lowly; * as for the proud, he beholds them from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, yet shall you refresh me; * you shall stretch forth your hand upon the furiousness of my enemies, and your right hand shall save me.

The Lord shall make good his loving-kindness toward me; * your mercy, O Lord, endures for ever; despise not the works of your own hands.

The First Lesson

Amos 9

I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered. Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down: And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them: And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good. And the Lord GOD of hosts is he that toucheth the land, and it shall melt, and all that dwell therein shall mourn: and it shall rise up wholly like a flood; and shall be drowned, as by the flood of Egypt. It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name. Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir? Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the LORD. For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us. ¶ In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this. Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.

The Second Lesson

Matt 1:1-17

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

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Psalm 132

Lord, remember David, * and all his tribulations,

How he swore unto the Lord, * and vowed a vow unto the Almighty God of Jacob:

“I will not come within the tabernacle of my house, * nor climb up into my bed,

I will not allow my eyes to sleep, nor my eyelids to slumber, * neither the temples of my head to take any rest,

Until I find a place for the temple of the Lord, * a habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.”

Lo, we heard of the ark at Ephrathah * and found it in the wood.

We will go into his tabernacle, * and fall low on our knees before his footstool.

Arise, O Lord, into your resting-place, * you and the ark of your strength.

Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, * and let your saints sing with joy.

For your servant David’s sake, * turn not away the presence of your Anointed.

The Lord has made a faithful oath unto David, * and he shall not shrink from it:

“Of the fruit of your body * shall I set upon your throne.

If your children will keep my covenant, and my testimonies that I shall teach them, * their children also shall sit upon your throne for evermore.”

For the Lord has chosen Zion for himself; * he has longed for her to be his habitation:

“This shall be my rest for ever; * here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein.

I will bless her provisions with increase, * and will satisfy her poor with bread.

I will clothe her priests with salvation, * and her saints shall rejoice and sing.

There shall I make the horn of David flourish; * I have prepared a lantern for my Anointed.

As for his enemies, I shall clothe them with shame; * but upon his head shall his crown flourish.”

Psalm 133

Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is * when brethren dwell together in unity.

It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, * even Aaron’s beard, and went down to the edges of his clothing,

Like the dew of Hermon, * which falls upon the hills of Zion.

For there the Lord promised his blessing, * even life for evermore.

Psalm 134

Behold now, praise the Lord, * all you servants of the Lord,

You that stand by night in the house of the Lord, * even in the courts of the house of our God.

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary * and sing praises unto the Lord.

The Lord who made heaven and earth * give you blessing out of Zion.

Psalm 135

O praise the Lord. Praise the Name of the Lord; * offer praise, you servants of the Lord,

You who stand in the house of the Lord, * in the courts of the house of our God.

O praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; * sing praises unto his Name, for it is lovely.

For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself * and Israel for his own possession.

For I know that the Lord is great, * and that our Lord is above all gods.

Whatsoever the Lord pleases he does, in heaven and on earth, * in the seas and in all the deep places.

He brings forth clouds from the ends of the earth * and sends forth lightning with the rain, bringing the wind out of his treasuries.

It was he who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, * both of man and beast.

He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O land of Egypt, * against Pharaoh and all his servants.

He smote many nations, * and slew mighty kings:

Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og the king of Bashan, * and all the kingdoms of Canaan.

And he gave their land to be an inheritance, * an inheritance for Israel his people.

Your Name, O Lord, endures for ever; * so does your renown, O Lord, from one generation to another.

For the Lord will avenge his people * and have compassion upon his servants.

As for the idols of the nations, they are but silver and gold, * the work of human hands.

They have mouths, but they speak not; * eyes have they, but they see not;

They have ears, and yet they hear not, * neither is there any breath in their mouths.

Those who make them are like them, * and so are all who put their trust in them.

Praise the Lord, O house of Israel; * praise the Lord, O house of Aaron.

Praise the Lord, O house of Levi; * you who fear the Lord, praise the Lord.

Praised be the Lord from Zion, * who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.

Or the sixty-day cycle: 140

The First Lesson

2 Sam 15

And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. ¶ And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron. For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. ¶ But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. ¶ And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house. And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king. ¶ Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee. And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be. And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him. And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. ¶ And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city. And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation: But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there. ¶ And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. ¶ And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. ¶ And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head: Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me: But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear. So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

The Second Lesson

Col 3:12-end

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And what soever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And what soever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

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Psalm 126

When the Lord overturned the captivity of Zion, * then were we like those who dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter * and our tongue with shouts of joy.

Then they said among the nations, * “The Lord has done great things for them.”

Indeed, the Lord has done great things for us already, * whereof we rejoice.

Overturn our captivity, O Lord, * as when streams refresh the deserts of the south.

Those who sow in tears * shall reap with songs of joy.

He who goes on his way weeping and bears good seed * shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring his sheaves with him.

Psalm 127

Unless the Lord builds the house, * their labor is in vain who build it.

Unless the Lord keeps the city, * the watchman keeps vigil in vain.

It is in vain that you rise up early, and take rest so late, and eat the bread of toil, * for he gives to his beloved sleep.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, * and the fruit of the womb is a gift that comes from him.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, * so are the children of one’s youth.

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; * he shall not be ashamed when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Psalm 128

Blessed are all those who fear the Lord * and walk in his ways.

For you shall eat of the labors of your hands; * it shall be well with you, and happy you shall be.

Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine * upon the walls of your house,

Your children like the olive branches * round about your table.

Indeed, thus shall the man be blessed * who fears the Lord.

May the Lord bless you out of Zion; * may you see Jerusalem in prosperity all your life long.

May you see your children’s children, * and may there be peace upon Israel.

Psalm 129

“Many a time have they fought against me from my youth on,”  * may Israel now say;

“Indeed, many a time have they afflicted me from my youth on,  * but they have not prevailed against me.

The plowers plowed upon my back, * and made long furrows.

But the righteous Lord * has hewn the snares of the ungodly in pieces.”

Let them be ashamed and turned backward, * as many as hate Zion.

Let them be as the grass growing upon the housetops, * which withers before it grows up,

Which does not fill the hand of the reaper, * neither the bosom of him who binds up the sheaves,

So that those who go by say not so much as, “The Lord prosper you. * We bless you in the Name of the Lord.”

Psalm 130

Out of the deep have I called unto you, O Lord; * Lord, hear my voice.

O let your ears consider well * the voice of my supplications.

If you, Lord, were to mark what is done amiss, * O Lord, who could abide it?

For there is mercy with you; * therefore you shall be feared.

I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him; * in his word is my trust.

My soul waits for the Lord, * more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, * and with him is plenteous redemption;

And he shall redeem Israel * from all their sins.

Psalm 131

O Lord, I am not haughty; * I have no proud looks.

I do not occupy myself with great matters, * or with things that are too high for me.

But I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned child upon his mother’s breast; * so is my soul quieted within me.

O Israel, trust in the Lord * from this time forth for evermore.

The First Lesson

Amos 8

Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and behold a basket of summer fruit. And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more. And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord GOD: there shall be many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast them forth with silence. ¶ Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat? The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works. Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day: And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day. ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst. They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beer-sheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again.

The Second Lesson

John 21

After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed 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 saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith 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, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. ¶ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

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