Whitsunday
Morning
Prayer
Sunday
1st Lesson
Wisdom of Solomon
1:1-7
1 Love righteousness, ye that be judges of the earth: think of the
Lord with a good (heart,) and in simplicity of heart seek him. 2 For
he will be found of them that tempt him not; and sheweth himself unto
such as do not distrust him. 3 For froward thoughts separate from God:
and his power, when it is tried, reproveth the unwise. 4 For into a
malicious soul Wisdom of Solomon shall not enter; nor dwell in the
body that is subject unto sin. 5 For the holy spirit of discipline
will flee deceit, and remove from thoughts that are without
understanding, and will not abide when unrighteousness cometh in. 6
For Wisdom of Solomon is a loving spirit; and will not acquit a
blasphemer of his words: for God is witness of his reins, and a true
beholder of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue. 7 For the Spirit of
the Lord filleth the world: and that which containeth all things hath
knowledge of the voice.
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2nd Lesson
John 4:19-26
19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a
prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that
in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith
unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in
this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship
ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the
Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers
shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father
seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship
him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 25 The woman saith unto
him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is
come, he will tell us all things. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that
speak unto thee am he.
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1st Lesson
Joel 2:28 28
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit
upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your
old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And
also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I
pour out my spirit. 30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in
the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be
turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and
the terrible day of the Lord come. 32 And it shall come to pass, that
whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for
in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath
said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.
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Readings
2nd Lesson
Romans 8:1-11
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free
from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in
that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the
likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk
not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after
the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the
Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death;
but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal
mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God,
neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot
please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be
that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the
Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the
body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of
righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from
the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall
also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in
you.
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Whitsunday
Evening
Prayer
Sunday
1st Lesson
Wisdom of Solomon 7:22.
8:1
22 For Wisdom of Solomon, which is the worker of all things, taught
me: for in her is an understanding spirit holy, one only, manifold,
subtil, lively, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt, loving
the thing that is good quick, which cannot be letted, ready to do
good, 23 Kind to man, steadfast, sure, free from care, having all
power, overseeing all things, and going through all understanding,
pure, and most subtil, spirits. 24 For Wisdom of Solomon is more
moving than any motion: she passeth and goeth through all things by
reason of her pureness. 25 For she is the breath of the power of God,
and a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty: therefore
can no defiled thing fall into her. 26 For she is the brightness of
the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and
the image of his goodness. 27 And being but one, she can do all
things: and remaining in herself, she maketh all things new: and in
all ages entering into holy souls, she maketh them friends of God, and
prophets. 28 For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with Wisdom of
Solomon. 29 For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the
order of stars: being compared with the light, she is found before it.
30 For after this cometh night: but vice shall not prevail against
Wisdom of Solomon.
1 Wisdom of Solomon reacheth from one end to another mightily: and
sweetly doth she order all things.
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2nd Lesson
1 Corinthians 2
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of
speech or of Wisdom of Solomon, declaring unto you the testimony of
God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus
Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in
fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not
with enticing words of man's Wisdom of Solomon, but in demonstration
of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the
Wisdom of Solomon of men, but in the power of God. 6 Howbeit we speak
Wisdom of Solomon among them that are perfect: yet not the Wisdom of
Solomon of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to
nought: 7 But we speak the Wisdom of Solomon of God in a mystery, even
the hidden Wisdom of Solomon, which God ordained before the world unto
our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had
they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But
as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for
them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his
Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of
God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of
man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the
Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world,
but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are
freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the
words which man's Wisdom of Solomon teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost
teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the
natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they
are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things,
yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of
the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of
Christ.
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1st Lesson
Isaiah 11:1-9
1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a
Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the Lord shall
rest upon him, the spirit of Wisdom of Solomon and understanding, the
spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear
of the Lord; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear
of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes,
neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4 But with
righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the
meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his
mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 5 And
righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the
girdle of his reins. 6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and
the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young
lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 7
And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down
together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 And the sucking
child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall
put his hand on the cockatrice's den. 9 They shall not hurt nor
destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the
knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
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2nd Lesson
John 6:53-69
53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye
have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood,
hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my
flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth
my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57 As
the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that
eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58 This is that bread which came
down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he
that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. 59 These things said he
in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. 60 Many therefore of his
disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who
can hear it? 61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured
at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? 62 What and if ye
shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? 63 It is the
spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I
speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are
some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who
they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he
said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except
it were given unto him of my Father. 66 From that time many of his
disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus
unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered
him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of
the living God.
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Whitsunday
Morning
Prayer
Monday
1st Lesson
Wisdom of Solomon
9:1-6
1 O God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things
with thy word, 2 And ordained man through thy Wisdom of Solomon, that
he should have dominion over the creatures which thou hast made, 3 And
order the world according to equity and righteousness, and execute
judgment with an upright heart: 4 Give me Wisdom of Solomon, that
sitteth by thy throne; and reject me not from among thy children: 5
For I thy servant and son of thine handmaid am a feeble person, and of
a short time, and too young for the understanding of judgment and
laws. 6 For though a man be never so perfect among the children of
men, yet if thy Wisdom of Solomon be not with him, he shall be nothing
regarded.
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2nd Lesson
1 Corinthians 3:9-17
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry,
ye are God's building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given
unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and
another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth
thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid,
which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation
gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work
shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall
be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what
sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon,
he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he
shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of
God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall
God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
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Whitsunday
Evening
Prayer
Monday
1st Lesson
Jeremiah 31:31-34
31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new
covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not
according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day
that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt;
which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them,
saith the Lord: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put
my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will
be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no
more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know
the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the
greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity,
and I will remember their sin no more.
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2nd Lesson
Acts 4:13-22
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived
that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they
took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And
beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say
nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside
out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 Saying, What
shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been
done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we
cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let
us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in
this name. 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at
all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and
said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken
unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the
things which we have seen and heard. 21 So when they had further
threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might
punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that
which was done. 22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this
miracle of healing was shewed.
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Whitsunday
Morning
Prayer
Tuesday
1st Lesson
Ezekiel 36:22-28
22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God;
I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy
name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye
went. 23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among
the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the
heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I
shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. 24 For I will take you
from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will
bring you into your own land. 25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon
you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all
your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you,
and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony
heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And
I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes,
and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 28 And ye shall dwell in
the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I
will be your God.
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2nd Lesson
1 Corinthians 12:1-13
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you
ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these
dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand,
that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and
that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there
are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are
diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in
all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to
profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of Wisdom
of Solomon; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To
another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by
the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another
prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of
tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these
worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man
severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many
members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one
body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into
one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free;
and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
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Whitsunday
Evening
Prayer
Tuesday
1st Lesson
Numbers 11:6-17, 24-30
6 But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside
this manna, before our eyes. 7 And the manna was as coriander seed,
and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium. 8 And the people
went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a
mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of
it was as the taste of fresh oil. 9 And when the dew fell upon the
camp in the night, the manna fell upon it. 10 Then Moses heard the
people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his
tent: and the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly; Moses also was
displeased. 11 And Moses said unto the Lord, Wherefore hast thou
afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy
sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? 12 Have
I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest
say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the
sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? 13
Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep
unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. 14 I am not able to
bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. 15 And if
thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have
found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. 16 And
the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of
Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers
over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation,
that they may stand there with thee. 17 And I will come down and talk
with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and
will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people
with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.
24 And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the Lord,
and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them
round about the tabernacle. 25 And the Lord came down in a cloud, and
spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it
unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit
rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. 26 But there
remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad,
and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and
they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the
tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. 27 And there ran a young
man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the
camp. 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his
young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. 29 And Moses
said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord's
people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon
them! 30 And Moses gat him into the camp, he and the elders of
Israel.
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2nd Lesson
Acts 4:23
23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported
all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24 And when
they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord,
and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and
the sea, and all that in them is: 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant
David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain
things? 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were
gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of
a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both
Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of
Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and
thy counsel determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold
their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all
boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to
heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy
child Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where
they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 32 And the
multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul:
neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed
was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power
gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and
great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them
that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold
them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid
them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every
man according as he had need. 36 And Joses, who by the apostles was
surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of
consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land,
sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
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Whitsunday
Morning
Prayer
Wednesday
1st Lesson
Ecclesiasticus (The Book of
Sirach) 39:1-8
1 But he that giveth his mind to the law of the most High, and is
occupied in the meditation thereof, will seek out the Wisdom of
Solomon of all the ancient, and be occupied in prophecies. 2 He will
keep the sayings of the renowned men: and where subtil parables are,
he will be there also. 3 He will seek out the secrets of grave
sentences, and be conversant in dark parables. 4 He shall serve among
great men, and appear before princes: he will travel through strange
countries; for he hath tried the good and the evil among men. 5 He
will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and
will pray before the most High, and will open his mouth in prayer, and
make supplication for his sins. 6 When the great Lord will, he shall
be filled with the spirit of understanding: he shall pour out wise
sentences, and give thanks unto the Lord in his prayer. 7 He shall
direct his counsel and knowledge, and in his secrets shall he
meditate. 8 He shall shew forth that which he hath learned, and shall
glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord.
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2nd Lesson
1 Corinthians 2
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of
speech or of Wisdom of Solomon, declaring unto you the testimony of
God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus
Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in
fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not
with enticing words of man's Wisdom of Solomon, but in demonstration
of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the
Wisdom of Solomon of men, but in the power of God. 6 Howbeit we speak
Wisdom of Solomon among them that are perfect: yet not the Wisdom of
Solomon of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to
nought: 7 But we speak the Wisdom of Solomon of God in a mystery, even
the hidden Wisdom of Solomon, which God ordained before the world unto
our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had
they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But
as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for
them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his
Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of
God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of
man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the
Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world,
but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are
freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the
words which man's Wisdom of Solomon teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost
teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the
natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they
are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things,
yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of
the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of
Christ.
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Whitsunday
Evening
Prayer
Wednesday
1st Lesson
Wisdom of Solomon 9:9-11,
17-18
9 And Wisdom of Solomon was with thee: which knoweth thy works, and
was present when thou madest the world, and knew what was acceptable
in thy sight, and right in thy commandments. 10 O send her out of thy
holy heavens, and from the throne of thy glory, that being present she
may labour with me, that I may know what is pleasing unto thee. 11 For
she knoweth and understandeth all things, and she shall lead me
soberly in my doings, and preserve me in her power.
17 And thy counsel who hath known, except thou give Wisdom of
Solomon, and send thy Holy Spirit from above? 18 For so the ways of
them which lived on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the
things that are pleasing unto thee, and were saved through Wisdom of
Solomon.
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2nd Lesson
Acts 5:12-28
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders
wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in
Solomon's porch. 13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them:
but the people magnified them. 14 And believers were the more added to
the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 15 Insomuch that they
brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and
couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might
overshadow some of them. 16 There came also a multitude out of the
cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which
were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. 17
Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which
is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 18
And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common
prison. 19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors,
and brought them forth, and said, 20 Go, stand and speak in the temple
to the people all the words of this life. 21 And when they heard that,
they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the
high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council
together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to
the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, and
found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, 23 Saying, The
prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing
without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man
within. 24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and
the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto
this would grow. 25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the
men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the
people. 26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them
without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have
been stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before
the council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we
straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and,
behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to
bring this man's blood upon us.
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Whitsunday
Morning
Prayer
Thursday
1st Lesson
Isaiah 44:1-8, 21-23
1 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:
2 Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb,
which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou,
Jesurun, whom I have chosen. 3 For I will pour water upon him that is
thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon
thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: 4 And they shall
spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses. 5 One
shall say, I am the Lord's; and another shall call himself by the name
of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and
surname himself by the name of Israel. 6 Thus saith the Lord the King
of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I
am the last; and beside me there is no God. 7 And who, as I, shall
call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I
appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and
shall come, let them shew unto them. 8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid:
have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even
my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know
not any.
21 Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I
have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be
forgotten of me. 22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy
transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have
redeemed thee. 23 Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it:
shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye
mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the Lord hath
redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.
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2nd Lesson
Galatians 5:16-25
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the
lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and
the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the
other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be
led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the
flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred,
variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings,
murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell
you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do
such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of
the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And
they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections
and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the
Spirit.
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Whitsunday
Evening
Prayer
Thursday
1st Lesson
Wisdom of Solomon 11:21.
12:2
21 For thou canst shew thy great strength at all times when thou
wilt; and who may withstand the power of thine arm? 22 For the whole
world before thee is as a little grain of the balance, yea, as a drop
of the morning dew that falleth down upon the earth. 23 But thou hast
mercy upon all; for thou canst do all things, and winkest at the sins
of men, because they should amend. 24 For thou lovest all the things
that are, and abhorrest nothing which thou hast made: for never
wouldest thou have made any thing, if thou hadst hated it. 25 And how
could any thing have endured, if it had not been thy will? or been
preserved, if not called by thee? 26 But thou sparest all: for they
are thine, O Lord, thou lover of souls.
1 For thine incorruptible Spirit is in all things. 2 Therefore
chastenest thou them by little and little that offend, and warnest
them by putting them in remembrance wherein they have offended, that
leaving their wickedness they may believe on thee, O Lord.
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2nd Lesson
Acts 5:29
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to
obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus,
whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his
right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to
Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these
things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them
that obey him. 33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart,
and took counsel to slay them. 34 Then stood there up one in the
council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in
reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles
forth a little space; 35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take
heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 36 For
before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to
whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was
slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to
nought. 37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the
taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and
all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 38 And now I say unto
you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel
or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39 But if it be of
God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight
against God. 40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the
apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak
in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 And they departed from the
presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to
suffer shame for his name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every
house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
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Whitsunday
Morning
Prayer
Friday
1st Lesson
Isaiah 61:1-9
1 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath
anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to
bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and
the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the
acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to
comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to
give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the
garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be
called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might
be glorified. 4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise
up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the
desolations of many generations. 5 And strangers shall stand and feed
your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your
vinedressers. 6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord; men
shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of
the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves. 7 For your
shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in
their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double:
everlasting joy shall be unto them. 8 For I the Lord love judgment, I
hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in
truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 And their
seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the
people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the
seed which the Lord hath blessed.
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2nd Lesson
1 Corinthians 3
1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some
others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation
from you? 2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read
of all men: 3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the
epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the
Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables
of the heart. 4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of
ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also hath made us able
ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit:
for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the
ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious,
so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of
Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done
away: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather
glorious? 9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much
more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10 For
even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by
reason of the glory that excelleth. 11 For if that which is done away
was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. 12 Seeing
then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13 And
not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of
Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is
abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day
remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old
testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15 But even unto this
day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless
when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 17 Now
the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is
liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the
glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to
glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
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Whitsunday
Evening
Prayer
Friday
1st Lesson
Isaiah 52:1-10
1 Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful
garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no
more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. 2 Shake thyself
from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from
the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. 3 For thus saith
the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed
without money. 4 For thus saith the Lord God, My people went down
aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them
without cause. 5 Now therefore, what have I here, saith the Lord, that
my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them
to howl, saith the Lord; and my name continually every day is
blasphemed. 6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they
shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.
7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth
good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of
good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God
reigneth 8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice
together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord
shall bring again Zion. 9 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye
waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he
hath redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in
the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see
the salvation of our God.
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2nd Lesson
Acts 6
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was
multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the
Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily
ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples
unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of
God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you
seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and Wisdom of
Solomon, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give
ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a
man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus,
and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of
Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had
prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God
increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem
greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the
faith. 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and
miracles among the people. 9 Then there arose certain of the
synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and
Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia,
disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the Wisdom
of Solomon and the spirit by which he spake. 11 Then they suborned
men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against
Moses, and against God. 12 And they stirred up the people, and the
elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and
brought him to the council, 13 And set up false witnesses, which said,
This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy
place, and the law: 14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of
Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which
Moses delivered us. 15 And all that sat in the council, looking
stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an
angel.
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Whitsunday
Morning
Prayer
Saturday
1st Lesson
Micah 3:5-8
5 Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make my people
err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth
not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. 6 Therefore
night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall
be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down
over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them. 7 Then shall
the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all
cover their lips; for there is no answer of God. 8 But truly I am full
of power by the spirit of the Lord, and of judgment, and of might, to
declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
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2nd Lesson
2 Timothy 1:1-14
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to
the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my dearly
beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ
Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with
pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my
prayers night and day; 4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful
of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5 When I call to
remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in
thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that
in thee also. 6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up
the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7 For
God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love,
and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony
of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the
afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath
saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our
works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us
in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by
the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death,
and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11
Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of
the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things:
nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am
persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him
against that day. 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou
hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That
good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which
dwelleth in us.
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Whitsunday
Evening
Prayer
Saturday
1st Lesson
Numbers 6:22
22 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 23 Speak unto Aaron and
unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of
Israel, saying unto them, 24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: 25
The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. 27
And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will
bless them.
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2nd Lesson
2 Corinthians 13:5
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own
selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you,
except ye be reprobates? 6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are
not reprobates. 7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we
should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest,
though we be as reprobates. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth,
but for the truth. 9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are
strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. 10 Therefore I
write these things being absent, lest being present I should use
sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to
edification, and not to destruction. 11 Finally, brethren, farewell.
Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the
God of love and peace shall be with you. 12 Greet one another with an
holy kiss. 13 All the saints salute you. 14 The grace of the Lord
Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy
Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
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