Fourth
Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Sunday
1st
Lesson
Lamentations 3:22-33
22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not
consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every
morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The Lord is my portion, saith my
soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25 The Lord is good unto them that
wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26 It is good that a man
should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. 27 It
is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. 28 He sitteth
alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. 29 He
putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope. 30 He giveth
his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach. 31
For the Lord will not cast off for ever: 32 But though he cause grief,
yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.
33 For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
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2nd
Lesson
Matthew 10:24-39
24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the
servant above his lord. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as
his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master
of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his
household? 26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered,
that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. 27 What I
tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the
ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. 28 And fear not them which kill
the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which
is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows
sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground
without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all
numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many
sparrows. 32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I
confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall
deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in
heaven. 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not
to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance
against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the
daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be
they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than
me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me
is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth
after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose
it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
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Readings
1st
Lesson
Deuteronomy 32:1-4, 34-39
1 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and
hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 2 My doctrine shall drop as the
rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the
tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: 3 Because I will publish
the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. 4 He is the
Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth
and without iniquity, just and right is he.
34 Is not this laid up in store with me, and
sealed up among my treasures? 35 To me belongeth vengeance, and
recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their
calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make
haste. 36 For the Lord shall judge his people, and repent himself for
his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none
shut up, or left. 37 And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock
in whom they trusted, 38 Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and
drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you,
and be your protection. 39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is
no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither
is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Romans 2:1-16
1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man,
whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou
condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But
we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them
which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest
them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape
the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and
forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God
leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent
heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and
revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every
man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well
doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But
unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey
unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon
every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the
Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh
good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no
respect of persons with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law
shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law
shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just
before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the
Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in
the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which
shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also
bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else
excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of
men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
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Readings
1st
Lesson
Genesis 12:1-9
1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out
of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto
a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation,
and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a
blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that
curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4
So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with
him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of
Haran. 5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and
all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had
gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and
into the land of Canaan they came. 6 And Abram passed through the land
unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was
then in the land. 7 And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy
seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord,
who appeared unto him. 8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on
the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and
Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called
upon the name of the Lord. 9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward
the south.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Galatians 3:1-9
1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you,
that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath
been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn
of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the
hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are
ye now made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have ye suffered so many things in
vain? if it be yet in vain. 5 He therefore that ministereth to you the
Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the
law, or by the hearing of faith? 6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it
was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they
which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the
scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith,
preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all
nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with
faithful Abraham.
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Readings
Fourth
Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Sunday
1st
Lesson
Isaiah 29:9-15
9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and
cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with
strong drink. 10 For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of
deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the
seers hath he covered. 11 And the vision of all is become unto you as
the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is
learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it
is sealed: 12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned,
saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. 13
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with
their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their
heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of
men: 14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among
this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of
their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men
shall be hid. 15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from
the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us?
and who knoweth us?
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Matthew 15:1-20
1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees,
which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the
tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat
bread. 3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress
the commandment of God by your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying,
Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let
him die the death. 5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or
his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have
ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7 Ye
hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people
draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips;
but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me,
teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 10 And he called the
multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 11 Not that which
goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the
mouth, this defileth a man. 12 Then came his disciples, and said unto
him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard
this saying? 13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly
Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they be
blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall
fall into the ditch. 15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare
unto us this parable. 16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without
understanding? 17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in
at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the
heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil
thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness,
blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with
unwashen hands defileth not a man.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Proverbs 27:1-6, 10, 12
1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou
knowest not what a day may bring forth. 2 Let another man praise thee,
and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. 3 A stone
is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them
both. 4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to
stand before envy? 5 Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful
are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are
deceitful.
10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend,
forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy
calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far
off.
12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth
himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Luke 6:36-42
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also
is merciful. 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and
ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give,
and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken
together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the
same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 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.
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Readings
1st
Lesson
1 Samuel 9:1-10, 18-19, 26—10:1
1 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name
was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the
son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. 2 And he had a son,
whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not
among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his
shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people. 3 And the
asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son,
Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses. 4
And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of
Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of
Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the
Benjamites, but they found them not. 5 And when they were come to the
land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let
us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought
for us. 6 And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man
of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to
pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we
should go. 7 Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what
shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there
is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we? 8 And the
servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the
fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God,
to tell us our way. 9 (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire
of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is
now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.) 10 Then said Saul to
his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city
where the man of God was.
18 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate,
and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is. 19 And Samuel
answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high
place; for ye shall eat with me today, and tomorrow I will let thee go,
and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.
26 And they arose early: and it came to pass
about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the
house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they
went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad. 27 And as they were going
down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass
on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I
may shew thee the word of God.
1 Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it
upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the Lord hath
anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Acts 8:26
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip,
saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from
Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
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Readings
Fourth
Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Monday
1st
Lesson
Judges 13:2-14, 24
2 And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the
family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren,
and bare not. 3 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman, and
said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou
shalt conceive, and bear a son. 4 Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and
drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: 5 For,
lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his
head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he
shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines. 6 Then
the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me,
and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very
terrible: but I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his
name: 7 But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a
son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean
thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day
of his death. 8 Then Manoah entreated the Lord, and said, O my Lord, let
the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us
what we shall do unto the child that shall be born. 9 And God hearkened
to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman
as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband was not with her. 10 And
the woman made haste, and ran, and shewed her husband, and said unto
him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the other
day. 11 And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man,
and said unto him, Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? And he
said, I am. 12 And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How
shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him? 13 And the angel
of the Lord said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her
beware. 14 She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither
let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that
I commanded her let her observe.
24 And the woman bare a son, and called his name
Samson: and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Luke 8:16-25
16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle,
covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on
a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. 17 For
nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing
hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. 18 Take heed therefore how
ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath
not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. 19 Then
came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for
the press. 20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and
thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 21 And he answered and
said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word
of God, and do it. 22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went
into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over
unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. 23 But as they
sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake;
and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came
to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose,
and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and
there was a calm. 25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And
they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is
this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
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Readings
Fourth
Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Monday
1st
Lesson
1 Maccabees
1:41-53
41 Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole
kingdom, that all should be one people, 42 And every one should leave
his laws: so all the heathen agreed according to the commandment of the
king. 43 Yea, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and
sacrificed unto idols, and profaned the sabbath. 44 For the king had
sent letters by messengers unto Jerusalem and the cities of Juda that
they should follow the strange laws of the land, 45 And forbid burnt
offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in the temple; and that
they should profane the sabbaths and festival days: 46 And pollute the
sanctuary and holy people: 47 Set up altars, and groves, and chapels of
idols, and sacrifice swine's flesh, and unclean beasts: 48 That they
should also leave their children uncircumcised, and make their souls
abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation: 49 To the end
they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances. 50 And
whosoever would not do according to the commandment of the king, he
said, he should die. 51 In the selfsame manner wrote he to his whole
kingdom, and appointed overseers over all the people, commanding the
cities of Juda to sacrifice, city by city. 52 Then many of the people
were gathered unto them, to wit every one that forsook the law; and so
they committed evils in the land; 53 And drove the Israelites into
secret places, even wheresoever they could flee for succour.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Acts 15:36—16:5
36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas,
Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have
preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. 37 And Barnabas
determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38 But Paul
thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from
Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39 And the contention was
so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other:
and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; 40 And Paul chose
Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of
God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the
churches.
1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold,
a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain
woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2
Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and
Iconium. 3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and
circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for
they knew all that his father was a Greek. 4 And as they went through
the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were
ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. 5 And so
were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number
daily.
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Readings
Fourth
Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Tuesday
1st
Lesson
Judges 16:4-14
4 And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a
woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. 5 And the lords of
the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see
wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail
against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee
every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver. 6 And Delilah said to
Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and
wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee. 7 And Samson said unto
her, If they bind me with seven green withs that were never dried, then
shall I be weak, and be as another man. 8 Then the lords of the
Philistines brought up to her seven green withs which had not been
dried, and she bound him with them. 9 Now there were men lying in wait,
abiding with her in the chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines
be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the withs, as a thread of tow is
broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known. 10 And
Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies:
now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound. 11 And he
said unto her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were
occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another man. 12 Delilah
therefore took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him,
The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And there were liers in wait
abiding in the chamber. And he brake them from off his arms like a
thread. 13 And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me,
and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said
unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web. 14
And she fastened it with the pin, and said unto him, The Philistines be
upon thee, Samson. And he awaked out of his sleep, and went away with
the pin of the beam, and with the web.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Luke 8:26-39
26 And they arrived at the country of the
Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. 27 And when he went forth to
land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long
time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.
28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a
loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God
most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. 29 (For he had commanded the
unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him:
and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the
bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) 30 And Jesus
asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many
devils were entered into him. 31 And they besought him that he would not
command them to go out into the deep. 32 And there was there an herd of
many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would
suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. 33 Then went the
devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran
violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. 34 When
they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in
the city and in the country. 35 Then they went out to see what was done;
and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were
departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind:
and they were afraid. 36 They also which saw it told them by what means
he that was possessed of the devils was healed. 37 Then the whole
multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to
depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up
into the ship, and returned back again. 38 Now the man out of whom the
devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus
sent him away, saying, 39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great
things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published
throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.
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Readings
Fourth
Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Tuesday
1st
Lesson
1 Maccabess
1:54
54 Now the fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in
the hundred forty and fifth year, they set up the abomination of
desolation upon the altar, and builded idol altars throughout the cities
of Juda on every side; 55 And burnt incense at the doors of their
houses, and in the streets. 56 And when they had rent in pieces the
books of the law which they found, they burnt them with fire. 57 And
whosoever was found with any the book of the testament, or if any
committed to the law, the king's commandment was, that they should put
him to death. 58 Thus did they by their authority unto the Israelites
every month, to as many as were found in the cities. 59 Now the five and
twentieth day of the month they did sacrifice upon the idol altar, which
was upon the altar of God. 60 At which time according to the commandment
they put to death certain women, that had caused their children to be
circumcised. 61 And they hanged the infants about their necks, and
rifled their houses, and slew them that had circumcised them. 62 Howbeit
many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to
eat any unclean thing. 63 Wherefore the rather to die, that they might
not be defiled with meats, and that they might not profane the holy
covenant: so then they died. 64 And there was very great wrath upon
Israel.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Acts 16:6-15
6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and
the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach
the word in Asia, 7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go
into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8 And they passing by
Mysia came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night;
There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into
Macedonia, and help us. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately
we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord
had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 11 Therefore loosing
from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next
day to Neapolis; 12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city
of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city
abiding certain days. 13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a
river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake
unto the women which resorted thither. 14 And a certain woman named
Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped
God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the
things which were spoken of Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her
household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful
to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained
us.
Return to Table of Bible
Readings
Fourth
Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Wednesday
1st
Lesson
Judges 16:15-22
15 And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I
love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these
three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth. 16
And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and
urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; 17 That he told her
all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine
head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be
shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and
be like any other man. 18 And when Delilah saw that he had told her all
his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying,
Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords
of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand. 19
And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she
caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to
afflict him, and his strength went from him. 20 And she said, The
Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and
said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he
wist not that the Lord was departed from him. 21 But the Philistines
took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound
him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house. 22
Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was
shaven.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Luke 8:40
40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was
returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for
him. 41 And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler
of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that
he would come into his house: 42 For he had one only daughter, about
twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people
thronged him. 43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years,
which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed
of any, 44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and
immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45 And Jesus said, Who touched
me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the
multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue
is gone out of me. 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she
came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him
before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she
was healed immediately. 48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good
comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. 49 While he yet
spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying
to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. 50 But when Jesus
heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall
be made whole. 51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to
go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of
the maiden. 52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not;
she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing
that she was dead. 54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand,
and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55 And her spirit came again, and she
arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. 56 And her parents
were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what
was done.
Return to Table of Bible
Readings
Fourth
Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Wednesday
1st
Lesson
1 Maccabess
2:1-14
1 In those days arose Mattathias the son of
John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem,
and dwelt in Modin. 2 And he had five sons, Joannan, called Caddis: 3
Simon; called Thassi: 4 Judas, who was called Maccabeus: 5 Eleazar,
called Avaran: and Jonathan, whose surname was Apphus. 6 And when he saw
the blasphemies that were committed in Juda and Jerusalem, 7 He said,
Woe is me! wherefore was I born to see this misery of my people, and of
the holy city, and to dwell there, when it was delivered into the hand
of the enemy, and the sanctuary into the hand of strangers? 8 Her temple
is become as a man without glory. 9 Her glorious vessels are carried
away into captivity, her infants are slain in the streets, her young men
with the sword of the enemy. 10 What nation hath not had a part in her
kingdom and gotten of her spoils? 11 All her ornaments are taken away;
of a free woman she is become a bondslave. 12 And, behold, our
sanctuary, even our beauty and our glory, is laid waste, and the
Gentiles have profaned it. 13 To what end therefore shall we live any
longer? 14 Then Mattathias and his sons rent their clothes, and put on
sackcloth, and mourned very sore.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Acts 16:16-24
16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a
certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which
brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul
and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high
God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many
days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command
thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the
same hour. 19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was
gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace
unto the rulers, 20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These
men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21 And teach customs,
which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being
Romans. 22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the
magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23 And
when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison,
charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a
charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in
the stocks.
Return to Table of Bible
Readings
Fourth
Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Thursday
1st
Lesson
Judges 16:23
23 Then the lords of the Philistines gathered
them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and
to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into
our hand. 24 And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for
they said, Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the
destroyer of our country, which slew many of us. 25 And it came to pass,
when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he
may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house;
and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars. 26 And
Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may
feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon
them. 27 Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of
the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three
thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport. 28 And
Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray
thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may
be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. 29 And Samson
took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on
which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other
with his left. 30 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And
he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords,
and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at
his death were more than they which he slew in his life. 31 Then his
brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and
brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the
buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty
years.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Luke 9:1-17
1 Then he called his twelve disciples together,
and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 3
And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves,
nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. 5
And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake
off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 6 And
they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and
healing every where. 7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done
by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that
John was risen from the dead; 8 And of some, that Elias had appeared;
and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. 9 And Herod
said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things?
And he desired to see him. 10 And the apostles, when they were returned,
told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside
privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11
And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them,
and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need
of healing. 12 And when the day began to wear away, then came the
twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go
into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for
we are here in a desert place. 13 But he said unto them, Give ye them to
eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes;
except we should go and buy meat for all this people. 14 For they were
about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit
down by fifties in a company. 15 And they did so, and made them all sit
down. 16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up
to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set
before the multitude. 17 And they did eat, and were all filled: and
there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve
baskets.
Return to Table of Bible
Readings
Fourth
Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Thursday
1st
Lesson
1 Maccabess
2:15-30
15 In the mean while the king's officers, such
as compelled the people to revolt, came into the city Modin, to make
them sacrifice. 16 And when many of Israel came unto them, Mattathias
also and his sons came together. 17 Then answered the king's officers,
and said to Mattathias on this wise, Thou art a ruler, and an honourable
and great man in this city, and strengthened with sons and brethren: 18
Now therefore come thou first, and fulfil the king's commandment, like
as all the heathen have done, yea, and the men of Juda also, and such as
remain at Jerusalem: so shalt thou and thy house be in the number of the
king's friends, and thou and thy children shall be honoured with silver
and gold, and many rewards. 19 Then Mattathias answered and spake with a
loud voice, Though all the nations that are under the king's dominion
obey him, and fall away every one from the religion of their fathers,
and give consent to his commandments: 20 Yet will I and my sons and my
brethren walk in the covenant of our fathers. 21 God forbid that we
should forsake the law and the ordinances. 22 We will not hearken to the
king's words, to go from our religion, either on the right hand, or the
left. 23 Now when he had left speaking these words, there came one of
the Jews in the sight of all to sacrifice on the altar which was at
Modin, according to the king's commandment. 24 Which thing when
Mattathias saw, he was inflamed with zeal, and his reins trembled,
neither could he forbear to shew his anger according to judgment:
wherefore he ran, and slew him upon the altar. 25 Also the king's
commissioner, who compelled men to sacrifice, he killed at that time,
and the altar he pulled down. 26 Thus dealt he zealously for the law of
God like as Phinees did unto Zambri the son of Salom. 27 And Mattathias
cried throughout the city with a loud voice, saying, Whosoever is
zealous of the law, and maintaineth the covenant, let him follow me. 28
So he and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that ever they
had in the city. 29 Then many that sought after justice and judgment
went down into the wilderness, to dwell there: 30 Both they, and their
children, and their wives; and their cattle; because afflictions
increased sore upon them.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Acts 16:25
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and
sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly
there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were
shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands
were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep,
and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have
killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul
cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all
here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling,
and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said,
Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake
unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And
he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and
was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had brought
them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in
God with all his house. 35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the
serjeants, saying, Let those men go. 36 And the keeper of the prison
told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now
therefore depart, and go in peace. 37 But Paul said unto them, They have
beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into
prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them
come themselves and fetch us out. 38 And the serjeants told these words
unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were
Romans. 39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and
desired them to depart out of the city. 40 And they went out of the
prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the
brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
Return to Table of Bible
Readings
Fourth
Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Friday
1st
Lesson
Ruth 1:1-14
1 Now it came to pass in the days when the
judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of
Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife,
and his two sons. 2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name
of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion,
Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab,
and continued there. 3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was
left, and her two sons. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab;
the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they
dwelled there about ten years. 5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both
of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. 6 Then
she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the
country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the
Lord had visited his people in giving them bread. 7 Wherefore she went
forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with
her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. 8 And
Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her
mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the
dead, and with me. 9 The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of
you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted
up their voice, and wept. 10 And they said unto her, Surely we will
return with thee unto thy people. 11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my
daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my
womb, that they may be your husbands? 12 Turn again, my daughters, go
your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have
hope, if I should have an husband also tonight, and should also bear
sons; 13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for
them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much
for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me. 14 And
they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother
in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Luke 9:18-27
18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying,
his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the
people that I am? 19 They answering said, John the Baptist; but some
say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.
20 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said,
The Christ of God. 21 And he straitly charged them, and commanded them
to tell no man that thing; 22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many
things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and
be slain, and be raised the third day. 23 And he said to them all, If
any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross
daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it:
but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25
For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose
himself, or be cast away? 26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of
my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in
his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. 27 But I
tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste
of death, till they see the kingdom of God.
Return to Table of Bible
Readings
Fourth
Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Friday
1st
Lesson
1 Maccabess
2:31-43
31 Now when it was told the king's servants, and
the host that was at Jerusalem, in the city of David, that certain men,
who had broken the king's commandment, were gone down into the secret
places in the wilderness, 32 They pursued after them a great number, and
having overtaken them, they camped against them, and made war against
them on the sabbath day. 33 And they said unto them, Let that which ye
have done hitherto suffice; come forth, and do according to the
commandment of the king, and ye shall live. 34 But they said, We will
not come forth, neither will we do the king's commandment, to profane
the sabbath day. 35 So then they gave them the battle with all speed. 36
Howbeit they answered them not, neither cast they a stone at them, nor
stopped the places where they lay hid; 37 But said, Let us die all in
our innocency: heaven and earth will testify for us, that ye put us to
death wrongfully. 38 So they rose up against them in battle on the
sabbath, and they slew them, with their wives and children and their
cattle, to the number of a thousand people. 39 Now when Mattathias and
his friends understood hereof, they mourned for them right sore. 40 And
one of them said to another, If we all do as our brethren have done, and
fight not for our lives and laws against the heathen, they will now
quickly root us out of the earth. 41 At that time therefore they
decreed, saying, Whosoever shall come to make battle with us on the
sabbath day, we will fight against him; neither will we die all, as our
brethren that were murdered in the secret places. 42 Then came there
unto him a company of Assideans who were mighty men of Israel, even all
such as were voluntarily devoted unto the law. 43 Also all they that
fled for persecution joined themselves unto them, and were a stay unto
them.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Acts 17:1-15
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis
and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the
Jews: 2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three
sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3 Opening and
alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the
dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 4 And some
of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout
Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. 5 But the
Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd
fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city
on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them
out to the people. 6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and
certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have
turned the world upside down are come hither also; 7 Whom Jason hath
received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying
that there is another king, one Jesus. 8 And they troubled the people
and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. 9 And when
they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go. 10
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto
Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These
were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the
word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily,
whether those things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed; also
of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. 13 But
when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was
preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the
people. 14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it
were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. 15 And they
that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment
unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they
departed.
Return to Table of Bible
Readings
Fourth
Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Saturday
1st
Lesson
Ruth 1:15
15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is
gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy
sister in law. 16 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to
return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and
where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy
God my God: 17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried:
the Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and
me. 18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then
she left speaking unto her. 19 So they two went until they came to
Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that
all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? 20 And
she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty
hath dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the Lord hath
brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord
hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? 22 So
Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her,
which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in
the beginning of barley harvest.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Luke 9:28-45
28 And it came to pass about an eight days after
these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a
mountain to pray. 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance
was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. 30 And, behold,
there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who
appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish
at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with
sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men
that stood with him. 33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him,
Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us
make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for
Elias: not knowing what he said. 34 While he thus spake, there came a
cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the
cloud. 35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my
beloved Son: hear him. 36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found
alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of
those things which they had seen. 37 And it came to pass, that on the
next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.
38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I
beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. 39 And, lo, a
spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that
he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. 40 And I
besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. 41 And Jesus
answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be
with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. 42 And as he was yet a
coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the
unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his
father. 43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But
while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said
unto his disciples, 44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for
the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. 45 But they
understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they
perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.
Return to Table of Bible
Readings
Fourth
Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Saturday
1st
Lesson
1 Maccabess
2:49-52, 61-70
49 Now when the time drew near that Mattathias
should die, he said unto his sons, Now hath pride and rebuke gotten
strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation: 50
Now therefore, my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives
for the covenant of your fathers. 51 Call to remembrance what acts our
fathers did in their time; so shall ye receive great honour and an
everlasting name. 52 Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and
it was imputed unto him for righteousness?
61 And thus consider ye throughout all ages,
that none that put their trust in him shall be overcome. 62 Fear not
then the words of a sinful man: for his glory shall be dung and worms.
63 To day he shall be lifted up and to morrow he shall not be found,
because he is returned into his dust, and his thought is come to
nothing. 64 Wherefore, ye my sons, be valiant and shew yourselves men in
the behalf of the law; for by it shall ye obtain glory. 65 And behold, I
know that your brother Simon is a man of counsel, give ear unto him
alway: he shall be a father unto you. 66 As for Judas Maccabeus, he hath
been mighty and strong, even from his youth up: let him be your captain,
and fight the battle of the people. 67 Take also unto you all those that
observe the law, and avenge ye the wrong of your people. 68 Recompense
fully the heathen, and take heed to the commandments of the law. 69 So
he blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers. 70 And he died in the
hundred forty and sixth year, and his sons buried him in the sepulchres
of his fathers at Modin, and all Israel made great lamentation for
him.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Acts 17:16
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his
spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to
idolatry. 17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and
with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with
him. 18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks,
encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some,
He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached
unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. 19 And they took him, and brought
him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof
thou speakest, is? 20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our
ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. 21 (For all the
Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing
else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) 22 Then Paul stood
in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that
in all things ye are too superstitious. 23 For as I passed by, and
beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE
UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto
you. 24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he
is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25
Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing,
seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 And hath
made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the
earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of
their habitation; 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might
feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of
your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29 Forasmuch
then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the
Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's
device. 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now
commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a
day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man
whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in
that he hath raised him from the dead. 32 And when they heard of the
resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear
thee again of this matter. 33 So Paul departed from among them. 34
Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was
Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with
them.
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