Second Sunday after
Easter
Morning Prayer
Sunday
1st Lesson
Isaiah 40:1-11
1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2 Speak ye
comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is
accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of
the Lord's hand double for all her sins. 3 The voice of him that crieth
in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the
desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every
mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made
straight, and the rough places plain: 5 And the glory of the Lord shall
be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the
Lord hath spoken it. 6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I
cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower
of the field: 7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the
spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. 8 The
grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand
for ever. 9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the
high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy
voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of
Judah, Behold your God! 10 Behold, the Lord God will come with strong
hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him,
and his work before him. 11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he
shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and
shall gently lead those that are with young.
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2nd Lesson
John 10:1-10
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door
into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief
and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of
the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice:
and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when
he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep
follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not
follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of
strangers. 6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not
what things they were which he spake unto them. 7 Then said Jesus unto
them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep
did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall
be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh
not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they
might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
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1st Lesson
Baruch 4:21-30
21 Be of good cheer, O my children, cry unto the Lord, and he will
deliver you from the power and hand of the enemies. 22 For my hope is in
the Everlasting, that he will save you; and joy is come unto me from the
Holy One, because of the mercy which shall soon come unto you from the
Everlasting our Saviour. 23 For I sent you out with mourning and
weeping: but God will give you to me again with joy and gladness for
ever. 24 Like as now the neighbours of Sion have seen your captivity: so
shall they see shortly your salvation from our God which shall come upon
you with great glory, and brightness of the Everlasting. 25 My children,
suffer patiently the wrath that is come upon you from God: for thine
enemy hath persecuted thee; but shortly thou shalt see his destruction,
and shalt tread upon his neck. 26 My delicate ones have gone rough ways,
and were taken away as a flock caught of the enemies. 27 Be of good
comfort, O my children, and cry unto God: for ye shall be remembered of
him that brought these things upon you. 28 For as it was your mind to go
astray from God: so, being returned, seek him ten times more. 29 For he
that hath brought these plagues upon you shall bring you everlasting joy
with your salvation. 30 Take a good heart, O Jerusalem: for he that gave
thee that name will comfort thee.
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2nd Lesson
Philippians 3:7-16
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of
all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be
found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,
but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which
is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his
resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made
conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the
resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained,
either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend
that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I
count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those
things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be
perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God
shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have
already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same
thing.
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Second Sunday after Easter
Evening Prayer
Sunday
1st Lesson
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 30-31
11 For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search
my sheep, and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in
the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek
out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have
been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. 13 And I will bring them out
from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them
to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the
rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed
them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall
their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture
shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. 15 I will feed my flock,
and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God. 16 I will seek
that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and
will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was
sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with
judgment.
30 Thus shall they know that I the Lord their God am with them, and
that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord God.
31 And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God,
saith the Lord God.
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of Readings
2nd Lesson
John 21:1-19
1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at
the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. 2 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. 3
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. 4 But when the morning was now come,
Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered
him, No. 6 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. 7 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. 8 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. 9 As soon then as
they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid
thereon, and bread. 10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye
have now caught. 11 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. 12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and
dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing
that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth
them, and fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed
himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. 15 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. 16 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. 17 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. 18 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. 19 This spake he,
signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken
this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
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1st Lesson
2 Esdras 8:20-30, 46,
51-54
20 O Lord, thou that dwellest in everlastingness which beholdest from
above things in the heaven and in the air; 21 Whose throne is
inestimable; whose glory may not be comprehended; before whom the hosts
of angels stand with trembling, 22 Whose service is conversant in wind
and fire; whose word is true, and sayings constant; whose commandment is
strong, and ordinance fearful; 23 Whose look drieth up the depths, and
indignation maketh the mountains to melt away; which the truth
witnesseth: 24 O hear the prayer of thy servant, and give ear to the
petition of thy creature. 25 For while I live I will speak, and so long
as I have understanding I will answer. 26 O look not upon the sins of
thy people; but on them which serve thee in truth. 27 Regard not the
wicked inventions of the heathen, but the desire of those that keep thy
testimonies in afflictions. 28 Think not upon those that have walked
feignedly before thee: but remember them, which according to thy will
have known thy fear. 29 Let it not be thy will to destroy them which
have lived like beasts; but to look upon them that have clearly taught
thy law. 30 Take thou no indignation at them which are deemed worse than
beasts; but love them that always put their trust in thy righteousness
and glory.
46 Then answered he me, and said, Things present are for the present,
and things to cometh for such as be to come.
51 But understand thou for thyself, and seek out the glory for such
as be like thee. 52 For unto you is paradise opened, the tree of life is
planted, the time to come is prepared, plenteousness is made ready, a
city is builded, and rest is allowed, yea, perfect goodness and wisdom.
53 The root of evil is sealed up from you, weakness and the moth is hid
from you, and corruption is fled into hell to be forgotten: 54 Sorrows
are passed, and in the end is shewed the treasure of
immortality.
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of Readings
2nd Lesson
1 Corinthians 15:12-23
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some
among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be
no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ
be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have
testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so
be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not
Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye
are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in
Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we
are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead,
and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came
death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam
all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in
his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's
at his coming.
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of Readings
Second Sunday after Easter
Morning Prayer
Monday
1st Lesson
Exodus 17:8
8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 And Moses
said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek:
tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine
hand. 10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek:
and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 And it came
to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he
let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses' hands were heavy; and
they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron
and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on
the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the
sun. 13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of
the sword. 14 And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in
a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put
out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. 15 And Moses built an
altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: 16 For he said, Because
the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from
generation to generation.
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2nd Lesson
Hebrews 6:1-12
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us
go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance
from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms,
and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of
eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit. 4 For it is
impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the
heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have
tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If
they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they
crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open
shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon
it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed,
receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers
is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 9 But,
beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that
accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous
to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his
name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And
we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full
assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but
followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the
promises.
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Readings
Second Sunday after
Easter
Evening Prayer
Monday
1st Lesson
Isaiah 43:8-13
8 Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have
ears. 9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be
assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things?
let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let
them hear, and say, It is truth. 10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord,
and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and
understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither
shall there be after me. 11 I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there
is no saviour. 12 I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed,
when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses,
saith the Lord, that I am God. 13 Yea, before the day was I am he; and
there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who
shall let it?
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Readings
2nd Lesson
1 Peter 3:13
13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which
is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye:
and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify
the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to
every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with
meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak
evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse
your good conversation in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of
God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 18 For
Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that
he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened
by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in
prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering
of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing,
wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like
figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting
away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience
toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22 Who is gone into
heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and
powers being made subject unto him.
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Readings
Second Sunday after
Easter
Morning Prayer
Tuesday
1st Lesson
Exodus 18:1-12
1 When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of
all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the
Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt; 2 Then Jethro, Moses' father in
law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back, 3 And her
two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have
been an alien in a strange land: 4 And the name of the other was
Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered
me from the sword of Pharaoh: 5 And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came
with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he
encamped at the mount of God: 6 And he said unto Moses, I thy father in
law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her. 7
And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and
kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came
into the tent. 8 And Moses told his father in law all that the Lord had
done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the
travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the Lord delivered
them. 9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the Lord had done
to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. 10
And Jethro said, Blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the
hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath
delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know
that the Lord is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they
dealt proudly he was above them. 12 And Jethro, Moses' father in law,
took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all
the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before
God.
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2nd Lesson
Hebrews 6:13
13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no
greater, he sware by himself, 14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless
thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15 And so, after he had
patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men verily swear by
the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all
strife. 17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs
of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie,
we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold
upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the
soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the
veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an
high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
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Second Sunday after
Easter
Evening Prayer
Tuesday
1st Lesson
Isaiah 43:15-21 &
44:1-3
15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King. 16
Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the
mighty waters; 17 Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army
and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they
are extinct, they are quenched as tow. 18 Remember ye not the former
things, neither consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new
thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make
a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. 20 The beast of the
field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters
in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people,
my chosen. 21 This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew
forth my praise.
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:
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2nd Lesson
1 Peter 4:1-6
1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm
yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the
flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of
his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For
the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the
Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine,
revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think
it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot,
speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to
judge the quick and the dead. 6 For for this cause was the gospel
preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according
to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
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Second Sunday after
Easter
Morning Prayer
Wednesday
1st Lesson
Exodus 18:13
13 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the
people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.
14 And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he
said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou
thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?
15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto
me to inquire of God: 16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and
I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of
God, and his laws. 17 And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing
that thou doest is not good. 18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou,
and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee;
thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. 19 Hearken now unto my
voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for
the people to Godward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: 20
And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the
way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. 21 Moreover
thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men
of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of
thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of
tens: 22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be,
that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small
matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they
shall bear the burden with thee. 23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God
command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people
shall also go to their place in peace. 24 So Moses hearkened to the
voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said. 25 And Moses
chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people,
rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers
of tens. 26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes
they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
27 And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his
own land.
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2nd Lesson
Hebrews 7:1-11
1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God,
who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed
him; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by
interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem,
which is, King of peace; 3 Without father, without mother, without
descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made
like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. 4 Now consider
how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the
tenth of the spoils. 5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who
receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes
of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though
they come out of the loins of Abraham: 6 But he whose descent is not
counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had
the promises. 7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the
better. 8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth
them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9 And as I may so say,
Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10 For he was
yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. 11 If
therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the
people received the law,) what further need was there that another
priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called
after the order of Aaron?
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Second Sunday after
Easter
Evening Prayer
Wednesday
1st Lesson
Isaiah 44:6-8, 21-23
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
1 Peter 4:7-11
7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and
watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among
yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use
hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath
received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good
stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him
speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of
the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified
through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever.
Amen.
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Readings
Second Sunday after
Easter
Morning Prayer
Thursday
1st Lesson
Exodus 19:1-7, 16-20
1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out
of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of
Sinai. 2 For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the
desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel
camped before the mount. 3 And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord
called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the
house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; 4 Ye have seen what I
did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought
you unto myself. 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and
keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all
people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom
of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt
speak unto the children of Israel. 7 And Moses came and called for the
elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which
the Lord commanded him.
16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there
were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the
voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in
the camp trembled. 17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp
to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. 18 And
mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon
it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace,
and the whole mount quaked greatly. 19 And when the voice of the trumpet
sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered
him by a voice. 20 And the Lord came down upon mount Sinai, on the top
of the mount: and the Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount; and
Moses went up.
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2nd Lesson
Hebrews 7:12
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a
change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken
pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the
altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which
tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far
more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth
another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal
commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 For he
testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before
for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19 For the law made
nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which
we draw nigh unto God. 20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was
made priest: 21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this
with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not
repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) 22
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 23 And they
truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by
reason of death: 24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an
unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to
the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make
intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is
holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than
the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer
up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for
this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law maketh men
high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was
since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
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Second Sunday after
Easter
Evening Prayer
Thursday
1st Lesson
Isaiah 44:9-20
9 They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their
delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses;
they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. 10 Who hath formed a
god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing? 11 Behold,
all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of men: let
them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear,
and they shall be ashamed together. 12 The smith with the tongs both
worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it
with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength
faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint. 13 The carpenter stretcheth
out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes,
and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure
of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the
house. 14 He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak,
which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he
planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it. 15 Then shall it be for a
man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he
kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it;
he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto. 16 He burneth
part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth
roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am
warm, I have seen the fire: 17 And the residue thereof he maketh a god,
even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and
prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god. 18 They
have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they
cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. 19 And none
considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding
to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked
bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and
shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to
the stock of a tree? 20 He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath
turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not
a lie in my right hand?
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2nd Lesson
1 Peter 4:12
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is
to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But
rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when
his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit
of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken
of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a
murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other
men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be
ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come
that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at
us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the
sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will
of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a
faithful Creator.
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Readings
Second Sunday after
Easter
Morning Prayer
Friday
1st Lesson
Exodus 20:1-21
1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the Lord thy God,
which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of
bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not
make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in
heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water
under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve
them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of
the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of
them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love
me, and keep my commandments. 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord
thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh
his name in vain. 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six
days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is
the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou,
nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor
thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six
days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is,
and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day,
and hallowed it. 12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may
be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 13 Thou shalt
not kill. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15 Thou shalt not steal. 16
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 17 Thou shalt
not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's
wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass,
nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. 18 And all the people saw the
thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the
mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood
afar off. 19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will
hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. 20 And Moses said unto
the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear
may be before your faces, that ye sin not. 21 And the people stood afar
off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was
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2nd Lesson
Hebrews 8
1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have
such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the
Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true
tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3 For every high priest
is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity
that this man have somewhat also to offer. 4 For if he were on earth, he
should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts
according to the law: 5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of
heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to
make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things
according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. 6 But now hath he
obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator
of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7 For
if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have
been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith,
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to
the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them
by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they
continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind,
and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they
shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his
neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all
shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful
to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I
remember no more. 13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the
first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish
away.
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Second Sunday after
Easter
Evening Prayer
Friday
1st Lesson
Isaiah 44:24—45:4
24 Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from
the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth
the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; 25 That
frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that
turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; 26 That
confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his
messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the
cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed
places thereof: 27 That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy
rivers: 28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all
my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the
temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
1 Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I
have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of
kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not
be shut; 2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight:
I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of
iron: 3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden
riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which
call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. 4 For Jacob my servant's
sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have
surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
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2nd Lesson
1 Peter 5:1-7
1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and
a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory
that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you,
taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for
filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's
heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief
Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not
away. 5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all
of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God
resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves
therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due
time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
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Second Sunday after
Easter
Morning Prayer
Saturday
1st Lesson
Exodus 24:1-11, 16-18
1 And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the Lord, thou, and Aaron,
Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye
afar off. 2 And Moses alone shall come near the Lord: but they shall not
come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him. 3 And Moses came and
told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments: and
all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which
the Lord hath said will we do. 4 And Moses wrote all the words of the
Lord, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the
hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5
And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt
offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the Lord. 6 And
Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basins; and half of the
blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 And he took the book of the covenant,
and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord
hath said will we do, and be obedient. 8 And Moses took the blood, and
sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant
which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words. 9 Then
went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of
Israel: 10 And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet
as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of
heaven in his clearness. 11 And upon the nobles of the children of
Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and
drink.
16 And the glory of the Lord abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud
covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the
midst of the cloud. 17 And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like
devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of
Israel. 18 And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up
into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty
nights.
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2nd Lesson
Hebrews 9:1-14
1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine
service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the
first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread;
which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the
tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden
censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold,
wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded,
and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubims of glory
shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 6
Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into
the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But into the
second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood,
which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 The
Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not
yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9
Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both
gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service
perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats
and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them
until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ being come an high priest
of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not
made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the
blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into
the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the
blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the
unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more
shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered
himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to
serve the living God?
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Second Sunday after
Easter
Evening Prayer
Saturday
1st Lesson
Isaiah 45:5-12, 15-19
5 I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I
girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 6 That they may know from
the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me.
I am the Lord, and there is none else. 7 I form the light, and create
darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.
8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down
righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation,
and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it. 9
Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with
the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth
it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? 10 Woe unto him
that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What
hast thou brought forth? 11 Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel,
and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and
concerning the work of my hands command ye me. 12 I have made the earth,
and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the
heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
15 Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the
Saviour. 16 They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them:
they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols. 17 But
Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye
shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. 18 For thus saith
the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and
made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it
to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else. 19 I have not
spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed
of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare
things that are right.
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Readings
2nd Lesson
I Peter 5:8
1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and
a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory
that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you,
taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for
filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's
heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief
Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not
away. 5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all
of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God
resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves
therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due
time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be
sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh
about, seeking whom he may devour:
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