Third Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Sunday
1st
Lesson
Jeremiah 31:1-14
1 At the same time, saith the Lord, will I be
the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. 2
Thus saith the Lord, The people which were left of the sword found grace
in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest. 3 The
Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with
an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. 4
Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel:
thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the
dances of them that make merry. 5 Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the
mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as
common things. 6 For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the
mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the
Lord our God. 7 For thus saith the Lord; Sing with gladness for Jacob,
and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and
say, O Lord, save thy people, the remnant of Israel. 8 Behold, I will
bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of
the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child
and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall
return thither. 9 They shall come with weeping, and with supplications
will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a
straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to
Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. 10 Hear the word of the Lord, O ye
nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that
scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his
flock. 11 For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the
hand of him that was stronger than he. 12 Therefore they shall come and
sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of
the Lord, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the
flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and
they shall not sorrow any more at all. 13 Then shall the virgin rejoice
in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their
mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from
their sorrow. 14 And I will satiate the soul of the priests with
fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the
Lord.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Matthew 9:9-13
9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw
a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith
unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. 10 And it came to
pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and
sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11 And when the
Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master
with publicans and sinners? 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto
them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not
sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to
repentance.
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Readings
1st
Lesson
Proverbs 16:18-24, 32
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an
haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit
with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20 He that
handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the
Lord, happy is he. 21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the
sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. 22 Understanding is a
wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools
is folly. 23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth
learning to his lips. 24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to
the soul, and health to the bones.
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the
mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Philippians 1:27—2:4
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh
the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be
absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit,
with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 And in
nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token
of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 30 Having the
same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
1 If there be therefore any consolation in
Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any
bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having
the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done
through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem
other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things,
but every man also on the things of others.
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Readings
1st
Lesson
Genesis 9:1-17
1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said
unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. 2 And the
fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth,
and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and
upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. 3
Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green
herb have I given you all things. 4 But flesh with the life thereof,
which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. 5 And surely your blood of
your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it,
and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I
require the life of man. 6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his
blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. 7 And you, be ye
fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and
multiply therein. 8 And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him,
saying, 9 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your
seed after you; 10 And with every living creature that is with you, of
the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from
all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. 11 And I will
establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any
more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood
to destroy the earth. 12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant
which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with
you, for perpetual generations: 13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it
shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. 14 And it
shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow
shall be seen in the cloud: 15 And I will remember my covenant, which is
between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the
waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 And the bow
shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the
everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh
that is upon the earth. 17 And God said unto Noah, This is the token of
the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is
upon the earth.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
1 Peter 3:17—4:6
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.
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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Readings
Third
Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Sunday
1st
Lesson
Jeremiah 23:1-8
1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and
scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord. 2 Therefore thus saith
the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have
scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them:
behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord. 3
And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I
have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they
shall be fruitful and increase. 4 And I will set up shepherds over them
which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed,
neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord. 5 Behold, the days come,
saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a
King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in
the earth. 6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell
safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR
RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that
they shall no more say, The Lord liveth, which brought up the children
of Israel out of the land of Egypt; 8 But, The Lord liveth, which
brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the
north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and
they shall dwell in their own land.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Luke 19:2-10
2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus,
which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he
sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he
was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a
sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus
came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him,
Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy
house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7
And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be
guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto
the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if
I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him
fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this
house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man
is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
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Readings
1st
Lesson
Ezekiel 34:20-24
20 Therefore thus saith the Lord God unto them;
Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the
lean cattle. 21 Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and
pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them
abroad; 22 Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a
prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle. 23 And I will set up
one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David;
he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. 24 And I the Lord
will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the Lord
have spoken it.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Luke 15:1-10
1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and
sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured,
saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. 3 And he spake
this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred
sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the
wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And
when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And
when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours,
saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was
lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one
sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons,
which need no repentance. 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of
silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the
house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found
it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice
with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say
unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one
sinner that repenteth.
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Readings
1st
Lesson
1 Samuel 8
1 And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that
he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 Now the name of his firstborn was
Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.
3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and
took bribes, and perverted judgment. 4 Then all the elders of Israel
gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, 5 And said
unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now
make us a king to judge us like all the nations. 6 But the thing
displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And
Samuel prayed unto the Lord. 7 And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken
unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they
have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not
reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since
the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day,
wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also
unto thee. 9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest
solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall
reign over them. 10 And Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto the
people that asked of him a king. 11 And he said, This will be the manner
of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and
appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and
some shall run before his chariots. 12 And he will appoint him captains
over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his
ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and
instruments of his chariots. 13 And he will take your daughters to be
confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. 14 And he will take
your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of
them, and give them to his servants. 15 And he will take the tenth of
your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his
servants. 16 And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants,
and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.
17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.
18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall
have chosen you; and the Lord will not hear you in that day. 19
Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they
said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; 20 That we also may be like
all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us,
and fight our battles. 21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people,
and he rehearsed them in the ears of the Lord. 22 And the Lord said to
Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said
unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Acts 8:5-25
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria,
and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave
heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the
miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice,
came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with
palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was great joy in
that city. 9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime
in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria,
giving out that himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave
heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great
power of God. 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time
he had bewitched them with sorceries. 12 But when they believed Philip
preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of
Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Then Simon
himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with
Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had
received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who,
when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the
Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they
were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their
hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw
that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given,
he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on
whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said
unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the
gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor
lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the
thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou
art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 24 Then
answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these
things which ye have spoken come upon me. 25 And they, when they had
testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and
preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
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Readings
Third
Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Monday
1st
Lesson
Judges 5:1-18
1 Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam
on that day, saying, 2 Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel,
when the people willingly offered themselves. 3 Hear, O ye kings; give
ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing
praise to the Lord God of Israel. 4 Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir,
when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and
the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water. 5 The mountains
melted from before the Lord, even that Sinai from before the Lord God of
Israel. 6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael,
the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways.
7 The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until
that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel. 8 They chose new
gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among
forty thousand in Israel? 9 My heart is toward the governors of Israel,
that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the Lord.
10 Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk
by the way. 11 They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the
places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of
the Lord, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages
in Israel: then shall the people of the Lord go down to the gates. 12
Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and
lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam. 13 Then he made him
that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: the Lord
made me have dominion over the mighty. 14 Out of Ephraim was there a
root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out
of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the
pen of the writer. 15 And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah;
even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For
the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart. 16 Why
abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks?
For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. 17
Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher
continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches. 18 Zebulun and
Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the
high places of the field.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Luke 6:39
39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the
blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? 40 The
disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be
as his master. 41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy
brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 42
Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the
mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that
is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of
thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that
is in thy brother's eye. 43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt
fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 44 For every
tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs,
nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 45 A good man out of the good
treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man
out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil:
for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. 46 And why call ye
me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47 Whosoever cometh
to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom
he is like: 48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep,
and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream
beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was
founded upon a rock. 49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a
man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against
which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the
ruin of that house was great.
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Readings
Third
Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Monday
1st
Lesson
Nehemiah 5:1-13
1 And there was a great cry of the people and of
their wives against their brethren the Jews. 2 For there were that said,
We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for
them, that we may eat, and live. 3 Some also there were that said, We
have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn,
because of the dearth. 4 There were also that said, We have borrowed
money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards. 5
Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their
children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to
be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already:
neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands
and vineyards. 6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these
words. 7 Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the
rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother.
And I set a great assembly against them. 8 And I said unto them, We
after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold
unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be
sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer. 9
Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear
of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? 10 I
likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money
and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury. 11 Restore, I pray
you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their
oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and
of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. 12 Then said
they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we
do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them,
that they should do according to this promise. 13 Also I shook my lap,
and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his
labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out,
and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the Lord.
And the people did according to this promise.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Acts 13:44—14:7
44 And the next sabbath day came almost the
whole city together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw
the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those
things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. 46 Then
Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word
of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from
you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to
the Gentiles. 47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set
thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation
unto the ends of the earth. 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they
were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were
ordained to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was
published throughout all the region. 50 But the Jews stirred up the
devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised
persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their
coasts. 51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and
came unto Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with
the Holy Ghost.
1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went
both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great
multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. 2 But the
unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil
affected against the brethren. 3 Long time therefore abode they speaking
boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and
granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the multitude
of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the
apostles. 5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and
also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to
stone them, 6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe,
cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: 7 And
there they preached the gospel.
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Readings
Third
Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Tuesday
1st
Lesson
Judges 5:19
19 The kings came and fought, then fought the
kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain
of money. 20 They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought
against Sisera. 21 The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient
river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength. 22
Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the prancings, the
prancings of their mighty ones. 23 Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the
Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not
to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty. 24
Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed
shall she be above women in the tent. 25 He asked water, and she gave
him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish. 26 She put her hand
to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; and with the
hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced
and stricken through his temples. 27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he
lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell
down dead. 28 The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried
through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the
wheels of his chariots? 29 Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she
returned answer to herself, 30 Have they not sped? have they not divided
the prey; to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers
colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of
needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the
spoil? 31 So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord: but let them that
love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land
had rest forty years.
Return to Table of
Readings
2nd
Lesson
Luke 7:1-10
1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the
audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2 And a certain
centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews,
beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. 4 And when they
came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy
for whom he should do this: 5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath
built us a synagogue. 6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now
not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto
him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest
enter under my roof: 7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come
unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8 For I
also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say
unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to
my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 9 When Jesus heard these things,
he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that
followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not
in Israel. 10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the
servant whole that had been sick.
Return to Table of
Readings
Third
Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Tuesday
1st
Lesson
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 9-12
1 And all the people gathered themselves
together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and
they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses,
which the Lord had commanded to Israel. 2 And Ezra the priest brought
the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that
could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate
from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those
that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive
unto the book of the law.
5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all
the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it,
all the people stood up: 6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And
all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and
they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the
ground.
9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra
the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto
all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor
weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. 10
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet,
and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day
is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is
your strength. 11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold
your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. 12 And all the
people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to
make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were
declared unto them.
Return to Table of
Readings
2nd
Lesson
Acts 14:8-18
And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent
in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had
walked: 9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and
perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10 Said with a loud voice,
Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. 11 And when the
people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in
the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of
men. 12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because
he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was
before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would
have done sacrifice with the people. 14 Which when the apostles,
Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among
the people, crying out, 15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We
also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye
should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven,
and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: 16 Who in times
past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless he
left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain
from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and
gladness. 18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people,
that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
Return to Table of
Readings
Third
Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Wednesday
1st
Lesson
Judges 6:1, 11-16, 33-35
1 And the children of Israel did evil in the
sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian
seven years.
11 And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat
under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the
Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide
it from the Midianites. 12 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him,
and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. 13
And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then
is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers
told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the
Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the
Midianites. 14 And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy
might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have
not I sent thee? 15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I
save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least
in my father's house. 16 And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be
with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.
33 Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites
and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and
pitched in the valley of Jezreel. 34 But the spirit of the Lord came
upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.
35 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered
after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto
Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Luke 7:11-17
11 And it came to pass the day after, that he
went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him,
and much people. 12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city,
behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother,
and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13 And
when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep
not. 14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood
still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15 And he that
was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a
great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his
people. 17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and
throughout all the region round about.
Return to Table of
Readings
Third
Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Wednesday
1st
Lesson
Nehemiah 9:5-15
5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani,
Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up
and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy
glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. 6 Thou,
even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens,
with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the
seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the
host of heaven worshippeth thee. 7 Thou art the Lord the God, who didst
choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and
gavest him the name of Abraham; 8 And foundest his heart faithful before
thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites,
the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and
the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy
words; for thou art righteous: 9 And didst see the affliction of our
fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea; 10 And shewedst
signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the
people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against
them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day. 11 And thou
didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of
the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the
deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters. 12 Moreover thou leddest them
in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to
give them light in the way wherein they should go. 13 Thou camest down
also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest
them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: 14
And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them
precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant: 15 And
gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth
water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them
that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to
give them.
Return to Table of
Readings
2nd
Lesson
Acts 14:19
19 And there came thither certain Jews from
Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul,
drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 20 Howbeit, as the
disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and
the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 And when they had
preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned
again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22 Confirming the souls of
the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we
must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 23 And when
they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with
fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. 24 And
after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 And
when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:
26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended
to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 27 And when they
were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that
God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the
Gentiles. 28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.
Return to Table of
Readings
Third
Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Thursday
1st
Lesson
Judges 7:1-8
1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the
people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of
Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of
them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. 2 And the Lord said unto
Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the
Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me,
saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. 3 Now therefore go to, proclaim in
the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him
return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the
people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. 4 And
the Lord said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down
unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be,
that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go
with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with
thee, the same shall not go. 5 So he brought down the people unto the
water: and the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the
water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself;
likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink. 6 And the
number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were
three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their
knees to drink water. 7 And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three
hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into
thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. 8
So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he
sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those
three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the
valley.
Return to Table of
Readings
2nd
Lesson
Luke 7:18-35
18 And the disciples of John shewed him of all
these things. 19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent
them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for
another? 20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist
hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we
for another? 21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities
and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave
sight. 22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell
John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the
lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised,
to the poor the gospel is preached. 23 And blessed is he, whosoever
shall not be offended in me. 24 And when the messengers of John were
departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went
ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 25
But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold,
they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings'
courts. 26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto
you, and much more than a prophet. 27 This is he, of whom it is written,
Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way
before thee. 28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women
there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is
least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. 29 And all the people
that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with
the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the
counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. 31 And the
Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and
to what are they like? 32 They are like unto children sitting in the
marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto
you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not
wept. 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking
wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. 34 The Son of man is come eating and
drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a
friend of publicans and sinners! 35 But wisdom is justified of all her
children.
Return to Table of
Readings
Third
Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Thursday
1st
Lesson
Nehemiah 9:32
32 Now therefore, our God, the great, the
mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not
all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our
kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on
our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of
Assyria unto this day. 33 Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought
upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly: 34 Neither
have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law,
nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou
didst testify against them. 35 For they have not served thee in their
kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the
large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they
from their wicked works. 36 Behold, we are servants this day, and for
the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and
the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it: 37 And it yieldeth much
increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins:
also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their
pleasure, and we are in great distress. 38 And because of all this we
make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and
priests, seal unto it.
Return to Table of
Readings
2nd
Lesson
Acts 15:1-12
1 And certain men which came down from Judaea
taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner
of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no
small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul
and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto
the apostles and elders about this question. 3 And being brought on
their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria,
declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto
all the brethren. 4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were
received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they
declared all things that God had done with them. 5 But there rose up
certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was
needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of
Moses. 6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of
this matter. 7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up,
and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago
God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the
word of the gospel, and believe. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts,
bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9
And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by
faith. 10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of
the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11
But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall
be saved, even as they. 12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave
audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God
had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
Return to Table of
Readings
Third
Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Friday
1st
Lesson
Judges 7:16
16 And he divided the three hundred men into
three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty
pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. 17 And he said unto them, Look
on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the
camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do. 18 When I blow with a
trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on
every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the Lord, and of
Gideon. 19 So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto
the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they
had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the
pitchers that were in their hands. 20 And the three companies blew the
trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left
hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they
cried, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon. 21 And they stood every man
in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and
fled. 22 And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the Lord set every
man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the
host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah,
unto Tabbath. 23 And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out
of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued
after the Midianites. 24 And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount
Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them
the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim
gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and
Jordan. 25 And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb;
and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the
winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and
Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.
Return to Table of
Readings
2nd
Lesson
Luke 7:36
36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he
would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down
to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when
she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an
alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping,
and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs
of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within
himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who
and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto
thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor
which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other
fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them
both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon
answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he
said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 And he turned to the woman,
and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house,
thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with
tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no
kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my
feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath
anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins,
which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is
forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are
forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within
themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the
woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
Return to Table of
Readings
Third
Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Friday
1st
Lesson
Nehemiah 13:15-22
15 In those days saw I in Judah some treading
wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses;
as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they
brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them
in the day wherein they sold victuals. 16 There dwelt men of Tyre also
therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the
sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17 Then I
contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing
is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? 18 Did not your fathers
thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this
city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. 19
And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark
before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and
charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some
of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be
brought in on the sabbath day. 20 So the merchants and sellers of all
kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. 21 Then I testified
against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do
so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no
more on the sabbath. 22 And I commanded the Levites that they should
cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to
sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also,
and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Acts 15:13-21
13 And after they had held their peace, James
answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 14 Simeon hath
declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of
them a people for his name. 15 And to this agree the words of the
prophets; as it is written, 16 After this I will return, and will build
again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build
again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17 That the residue of
men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name
is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. 18 Known unto God
are all his works from the beginning of the world. 19 Wherefore my
sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are
turned to God: 20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from
pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled,
and from blood. 21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that
preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
Return to Table of
Readings
Third
Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Saturday
1st
Lesson
Judges 10:17—11:29-40
17 Then the children of Ammon were gathered
together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled
themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh. 18 And the people and
princes of Gilead said one to another, What man is he that will begin to
fight against the children of Ammon? he shall be head over all the
inhabitants of Gilead.
29 Then the spirit of the Lord came upon
Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over
Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over unto the
children of Ammon. 30 And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said,
If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine
hands, 31 Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of
my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon,
shall surely be the Lord's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.
32 So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against
them; and the Lord delivered them into his hands. 33 And he smote them
from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and unto
the plain of the vineyards, with a very great slaughter. Thus the
children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel. 34 And
Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came
out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only
child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. 35 And it came to
pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my
daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that
trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go
back. 36 And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth
unto the Lord, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of
thy mouth; forasmuch as the Lord hath taken vengeance for thee of thine
enemies, even of the children of Ammon. 37 And she said unto her father,
Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up
and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows.
38 And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she went
with her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains. 39
And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her
father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and
she knew no man. And it was a custom in Israel, 40 That the daughters of
Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four
days in a year.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Luke 8:1-15
1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went
throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad
tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, 2 And
certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities,
Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3 And Joanna the
wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which
ministered unto him of their substance. 4 And when much people were
gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a
parable: 5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell
by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air
devoured it. 6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung
up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among
thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 8 And other
fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And
when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let
him hear. 9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable
be? 10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the
kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not
see, and hearing they might not understand. 11 Now the parable is this:
The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side are they that
hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their
hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are
they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have
no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have
heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of
this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good
ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the
word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
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Third
Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Saturday
1st
Lesson
1 Maccabees 1:1, 7-15
1 And it happened, after that Alexander son of
Philip, the Macedonian, who came out of the land of Chettiim, had
smitten Darius king of the Persians and Medes, that he reigned in his
stead, the first over Greece,
7 So Alexander reigned twelves years, and then
died. 8 And his servants bare rule every one in his place. 9 And after
his death they all put crowns upon themselves; so did their sons after
them many years: and evils were multiplied in the earth. 10 And there
came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of
Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in
the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks. 11
In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many,
saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen that are round
about us: for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow. 12 So
this device pleased them well. 13 Then certain of the people were so
forward herein, that they went to the king, who gave them licence to do
after the ordinances of the heathen: 14 Whereupon they built a place of
exercise at Jerusalem according to the customs of the heathen: 15 And
made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined
themselves to the heathen, and were sold to do mischief.
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2nd
Lesson
Acts 15:22-35
22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with
the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch
with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas,
chief men among the brethren: 23 And they wrote letters by them after
this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the
brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: 24
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have
troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be
circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 25
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen
men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 Men that have
hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have
sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things
by mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay
upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye
abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things
strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye
shall do well. Fare ye well. 30 So when they were dismissed, they came
to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they
delivered the epistle: 31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for
the consolation. 32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves,
exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. 33 And after
they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the
brethren unto the apostles. 34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide
there still. 35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching
and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
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