Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
Morning
Prayer
Sunday
1st Lesson
Ecclesiasticus (Wisdom of
Sirach) 5:1-10
1 Set thy heart upon thy goods; and say not, I have enough for my
life. 2 Follow not thine own mind and thy strength, to walk in the ways
of thy heart: 3 And say not, Who shall controul me for my works? for the
Lord will surely revenge thy pride. 4 Say not, I have sinned, and what
harm hath happened unto me? for the Lord is longsuffering, he will in no
wise let thee go. 5 Concerning propitiation, be not without fear to add
sin unto sin: 6 And say not His mercy is great; he will be pacified for
the multitude of my sins: for mercy and wrath come from him, and his
indignation resteth upon sinners. 7 Make no tarrying to turn to the
Lord, and put not off from day to day: for suddenly shall the wrath of
the Lord come forth, and in thy security thou shalt be destroyed, and
perish in the day of vengeance. 8 Set not thine heart upon goods
unjustly gotten, for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity.
9 Winnow not with every wind, and go not into every way: for so doth the
sinner that hath a double tongue. 10 Be stedfast in thy understanding;
and let thy word be the same.
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2nd
Lesson
Luke 12:13-21
13 And one of the company said unto him, Master,
speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14 And he
said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15 And he
said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life
consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 16
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich
man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying,
What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build
greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I
will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years;
take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him,
Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose
shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth
up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
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Readings
1st
Lesson
Deuteronomy 7:6-13
6 For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy
God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto
himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. 7 The
Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more
in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: 8 But
because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he
had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty
hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of
Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is
God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that
love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; 10 And
repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not
be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. 11 Thou
shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the
judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them. 12 Wherefore it
shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do
them, that the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the
mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: 13 And he will love thee, and
bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb,
and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the
increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he
sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Galatians 2:15-20
15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of
the Gentiles, 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the
law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus
Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by
the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be
justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we
ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of
sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I
make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law am dead to the law,
that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless
I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now
live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me,
and gave himself for me.
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Readings
1st
Lesson
Exodus 2:1-22
1 And there went a man of the house of Levi, and
took to wife a daughter of Levi. 2 And the woman conceived, and bare a
son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three
months. 3 And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an
ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the
child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink. 4 And
his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. 5 And the
daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her
maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among
the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. 6 And when she had opened it,
she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on
him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children. 7 Then said his
sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the
Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? 8 And Pharaoh's
daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's
mother. 9 And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away,
and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took
the child, and nursed it. 10 And the child grew, and she brought him
unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name
Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water. 11 And it came
to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his
brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting
an Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12 And he looked this way and that way,
and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him
in the sand. 13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of
the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong,
Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? 14 And he said, Who made thee a
prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst
the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. 15
Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses
fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he
sat down by a well. 16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and
they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's
flock. 17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up
and helped them, and watered their flock. 18 And when they came to Reuel
their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon today? 19 And
they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds,
and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock. 20 And he said
unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the
man? call him, that he may eat bread. 21 And Moses was content to dwell
with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. 22 And she bare
him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a
stranger in a strange land.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
James 4
1 From whence come wars and fightings among you?
come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye
lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye
fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and
receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your
lusts. 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship
of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of
the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in
vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth
more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth
grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the
devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw
nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye
double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be
turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in
the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. 11 Speak not evil one
of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth
his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou
judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is
one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that
judgest another? 13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will
go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and
get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what
is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and
then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we
shall live, and do this, or that. 16 But now ye rejoice in your
boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knoweth
to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
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Readings
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Sunday
1st
Lesson
Ecclesiastes 5:8
8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and
violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at
the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there
be higher than they. 9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the
king himself is served by the field. 10 He that loveth silver shall not
be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase:
this is also vanity. 11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat
them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding
of them with their eyes? 12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet,
whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not
suffer him to sleep. 13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the
sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 14 But
those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there
is nothing in his hand. 15 As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked
shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour,
which he may carry away in his hand. 16 And this also is a sore evil,
that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he
that hath laboured for the wind? 17 All his days also he eateth in
darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness. 18 Behold
that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to
drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the
sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his
portion. 19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and
hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to
rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. 20 For he shall not much
remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of
his heart.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
1 Timothy 6:1-10
1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke
count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and
his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2 And they that have believing masters,
let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them
service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the
benefit. These things teach and exhort. 3 If any man teach otherwise,
and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is
proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words,
whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse
disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth,
supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But
godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into
this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having
food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be
rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful
lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of
money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have
erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many
sorrows.
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Readings
1st
Lesson
Joel 2:21-27
21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for
the Lord will do great things. 22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field:
for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her
fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. 23 Be glad
then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath
given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for
you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow
with wine and oil. 25 And I will restore to you the years that the
locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the
palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. 26 And ye shall eat in
plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that
hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. 27
And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the
Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Matthew 6:24
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he
will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one,
and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 25 Therefore I
say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what
ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the
life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of
the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns;
yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say
unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of
these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to
day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more
clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying,
What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be
clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your
heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But
seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the
morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
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Readings
1st
Lesson
1 Kings 8:22-30, 54-63
22 And Solomon stood before the altar of the
Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth
his hands toward heaven: 23 And he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no
God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest
covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all
their heart: 24 Who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou
promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it
with thine hand, as it is this day. 25 Therefore now, Lord God of
Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him,
saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne
of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk
before me as thou hast walked before me. 26 And now, O God of Israel,
let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy
servant David my father. 27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth?
behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much
less this house that I have builded? 28 Yet have thou respect unto the
prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to
hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before
thee today: 29 That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and
day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be
there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall
make toward this place. 30 And hearken thou to the supplication of thy
servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this
place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou
hearest, forgive.
54 And it was so, that when Solomon had made an
end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the Lord, he arose
from before the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his
hands spread up to heaven. 55 And he stood, and blessed all the
congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, 56 Blessed be the
Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that
he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise,
which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. 57 The Lord our God
be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor
forsake us: 58 That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all
his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his
judgments, which he commanded our fathers. 59 And let these my words,
wherewith I have made supplication before the Lord, be nigh unto the
Lord our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant,
and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall
require: 60 That all the people of the earth may know that the Lord is
God, and that there is none else. 61 Let your heart therefore be perfect
with the Lord our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his
commandments, as at this day. 62 And the king, and all Israel with him,
offered sacrifice before the Lord. 63 And Solomon offered a sacrifice of
peace offerings, which he offered unto the Lord, two and twenty thousand
oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the
children of Israel dedicated the house of the Lord.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Acts 18:1-17
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens,
and came to Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in
Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that
Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto
them. 3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and
wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned
in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 5
And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed
in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6 And
when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and
said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from
henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. 7 And he departed thence, and
entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped
God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. 8 And Crispus, the chief
ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and
many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. 9 Then
spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but
speak, and hold not thy peace: 10 For I am with thee, and no man shall
set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. 11 And he
continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among
them. 12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made
insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the
judgment seat, 13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God
contrary to the law. 14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth,
Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked
lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: 15 But if
it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for
I will be no judge of such matters. 16 And he drave them from the
judgment seat. 17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of
the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared
for none of those things.
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Readings
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Monday
1st
Lesson
2 Samuel 19:24-39
24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to
meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard,
nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he
came again in peace. 25 And it came to pass, when he was come to
Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore
wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth? 26 And he answered, My lord, O
king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an
ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is
lame. 27 And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my
lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine
eyes. 28 For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord
the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at
thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto
the king? 29 And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of
thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land. 30 And
Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my
lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house. 31 And
Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan
with the king, to conduct him over Jordan. 32 Now Barzillai was a very
aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of
sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man. 33 And
the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed
thee with me in Jerusalem. 34 And Barzillai said unto the king, How long
have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem? 35 I
am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and
evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any
more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should
thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king? 36 Thy servant will
go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king
recompense it me with such a reward? 37 Let thy servant, I pray thee,
turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the
grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let
him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good
unto thee. 38 And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and
I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever
thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee. 39 And all the people
went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed
Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
2 Corinthians 10
1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness
and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being
absent am bold toward you: 2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold
when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold
against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For
the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the
pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every
high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and
bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And
having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience
is fulfilled. 7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If
any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think
this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. 8 For
though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord
hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should
not be ashamed: 9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by
letters. 10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his
bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 11 Let such an one
think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent,
such will we be also in deed when we are present. 12 For we dare not
make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that
commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and
comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13 But we will not
boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the
rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached
not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the
gospel of Christ: 15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that
is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is
increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule
abundantly, 16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not
to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. 17 But
he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18 For not he that
commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
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Readings
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Monday
1st
Lesson
Ecclesiasticus
(Wisdom of Sirach) 34:18. 35:3
18 He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully
gotten, his offering is ridiculous; and the gifts of unjust men are not
accepted. 19 The most High is not pleased with the offerings of the
wicked; neither is he pacified for sin by the multitude of sacrifices.
20 Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor doeth as one that
killeth the son before his father's eyes. 21 The bread of the needy is
their life: he that defraudeth him thereof is a man of blood. 22 He that
taketh away his neighbour's living slayeth him; and he that defraudeth
the labourer of his hire is a bloodshedder. 23 When one buildeth, and
another pulleth down, what profit have they then but labour? 24 When one
prayeth, and another curseth, whose voice will the Lord hear? 25 He that
washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again,
what availeth his washing? 26 So is it with a man that fasteth for his
sins, and goeth again, and doeth the same: who will hear his prayer? or
what doth his humbling profit him? 1 He that keepeth the law bringeth
offerings enough: he that taketh heed to the commandment offereth a
peace offering. 2 He that requiteth a goodturn offereth fine flour; and
he that giveth alms sacrificeth praise. 3 To depart from wickedness is a
thing pleasing to the Lord; and to forsake unrighteousness is a
propitiation.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Matthew 7:1-12
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with
what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye
mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the
mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is
in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out
the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then
shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. 6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls
before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again
and rend you. 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh
receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it
shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask
bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give
him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts
unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven
give good things to them that ask him? 12 Therefore all things
whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them:
for this is the law and the prophets.
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Readings
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Tuesday
1st
Lesson
2 Samuel 23:8-17
8 These be the names of the mighty men whom
David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the
captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against
eight hundred, whom he slew at one time. 9 And after him was Eleazar the
son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when
they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle,
and the men of Israel were gone away: 10 He arose, and smote the
Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword:
and the Lord wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned
after him only to spoil. 11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee
the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop,
where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from
the Philistines. 12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and
defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the Lord wrought a great
victory. 13 And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David
in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the
Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim. 14 And David was then in
an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 15
And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water
of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! 16 And the three mighty
men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the
well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to
David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto
the Lord. 17 And he said, Be it far from me, O Lord, that I should do
this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their
lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three
mighty men.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
2 Corinthians 11:1-15
1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in
my folly: and indeed bear with me. 2 For I am jealous over you with
godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may
present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any
means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds
should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he
that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye
receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel,
which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 5 For I suppose
I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. 6 But though I be
rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made
manifest among you in all things. 7 Have I committed an offence in
abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you
the gospel of God freely? 8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of
them, to do you service. 9 And when I was present with you, and wanted,
I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the
brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have
kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this
boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11 Wherefore? because I love you not?
God knoweth. 12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off
occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they
may be found even as we. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful
workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no
marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as
the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their
works.
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Readings
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Tuesday
1st
Lesson
Ecclesiasticus
(Wisdom of Sirach) 36:1-17
1 Have mercy upon us, O Lord God of all, and
behold us: 2 And send thy fear upon all the nations that seek not after
thee. 3 Lift up thy hand against the strange nations, and let them see
thy power. 4 As thou wast sanctified in us before them: so be thou
magnified among them before us. 5 And let them know thee, as we have
known thee, that there is no God but only thou, O God. 6 Shew new signs,
and make other strange wonders: glorify thy hand and thy right arm, that
they may set forth thy wondrous works. 7 Raise up indignation, and pour
out wrath: take away the adversary, and destroy the enemy. 8 Sake the
time short, remember the covenant, and let them declare thy wonderful
works. 9 Let him that escapeth be consumed by the rage of the fire; and
let them perish that oppress the people. 10 Smite in sunder the heads of
the rulers of the heathen, that say, There is none other but we. 11
Gather all the tribes of Jacob together, and inherit thou them, as from
the beginning. 12 O Lord, have mercy upon the people that is called by
thy name, and upon Israel, whom thou hast named thy firstborn. 13 O be
merciful unto Jerusalem, thy holy city, the place of thy rest. 14 Fill
Sion with thine unspeakable oracles, and thy people with thy glory: 15
Give testimony unto those that thou hast possessed from the beginning,
and raise up prophets that have been in thy name. 16 Reward them that
wait for thee, and let thy prophets be found faithful. 17 O Lord, hear
the prayer of thy servants, according to the blessing of Aaron over thy
people, that all they which dwell upon the earth may know that thou art
the Lord, the eternal God.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Matthew 7:13
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is
the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many
there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow
is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but
inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their
fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so
every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth
forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither
can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth
not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore
by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me,
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth
the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that
day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name
have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And
then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that
work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and
doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon
a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds
blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon
a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth
them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house
upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the
fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings,
the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one
having authority, and not as the scribes.
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Readings
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Wednesday
1st
Lesson
2 Samuel 24:1, 10-25
1 And again the anger of the Lord was kindled
against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number
Israel and Judah.
10 And David's heart smote him after that he had
numbered the people. And David said unto the Lord, I have sinned greatly
in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O Lord, take away the
iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly. 11 For when
David was up in the morning, the word of the Lord came unto the prophet
Gad, David's seer, saying, 12 Go and say unto David, Thus saith the
Lord, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do
it unto thee. 13 So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him,
Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou
flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that
there be three days' pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what
answer I shall return to him that sent me. 14 And David said unto Gad, I
am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the Lord; for his
mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man. 15 So the
Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time
appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba
seventy thousand men. 16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon
Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord repented him of the evil, and said to
the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand.
And the angel of the Lord was by the threshingplace of Araunah the
Jebusite. 17 And David spake unto the Lord when he saw the angel that
smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly:
but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be
against me, and against my father's house. 18 And Gad came that day to
David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the Lord in the
threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite. 19 And David, according to the
saying of Gad, went up as the Lord commanded. 20 And Araunah looked, and
saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went
out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground. 21
And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And
David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto
the Lord, that the plague may be stayed from the people. 22 And Araunah
said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth
good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing
instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood. 23 All these
things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto
the king, The Lord thy God accept thee. 24 And the king said unto
Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will
I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me
nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty
shekels of silver. 25 And David built there an altar unto the Lord, and
offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord was entreated
for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
2 Corinthians 11:16
16 I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if
otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were
foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. 18 Seeing that many glory
after the flesh, I will glory also. 19 For ye suffer fools gladly,
seeing ye yourselves are wise. 20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into
bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt
himself, if a man smite you on the face. 21 I speak as concerning
reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold,
(I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. 22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are
they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 23 Are
they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more
abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths
oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered
shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings
often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own
countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils
in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and
thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things
that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the
churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn
not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern
mine infirmities. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which
is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. 32 In Damascus the
governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a
garrison, desirous to apprehend me: 33 And through a window in a basket
was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
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Readings
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Wednesday
1st
Lesson
Ecclesiasticus
(Wisdom of Sirach) 37:6-15
6 Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not
unmindful of him in thy riches. 7 Every counsellor extolleth counsel;
but there is some that counselleth for himself. 8 Beware of a
counsellor, and know before what need he hath; for he will counsel for
himself; lest he cast the lot upon thee, 9 And say unto thee, Thy way is
good: and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall
thee. 10 Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsel
from such as envy thee. 11 Neither consult with a woman touching her of
whom she is jealous; neither with a coward in matters of war; nor with a
merchant concerning exchange; nor with a buyer of selling; nor with an
envious man of thankfulness; nor with an unmerciful man touching
kindness; nor with the slothful for any work; nor with an hireling for a
year of finishing work; nor with an idle servant of much business:
hearken not unto these in any matter of counsel. 12 But be continually
with a godly man, whom thou knowest to keep the commandments of the
Lord, whose, mind is according to thy mind, and will sorrow with thee,
if thou shalt miscarry. 13 And let the counsel of thine own heart stand:
for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it. 14 For a man's mind
is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in
an high tower. 15 And above all this pray to the most High, that he will
direct thy way in truth.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Matthew 8:1-13
1 When he was come down from the mountain, great
multitudes followed him. 2 And, behold, there came a leper and
worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3
And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou
clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus saith unto
him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest,
and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 5
And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a
centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home
sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I
will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am
not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word
only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority,
having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and
to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he
doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that
followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no,
not in Israel. 11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east
and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the
kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out
into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13
And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast
believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the
selfsame hour.
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Readings
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Thursday
1st
Lesson
1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12
1 Now the days of David drew nigh that he should
die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, 2 I go the way of all the
earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; 3 And keep the
charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes,
and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is
written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou
doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: 4 That the Lord may
continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children
take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart
and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on
the throne of Israel.
10 So David slept with his fathers, and was
buried in the city of David. 11 And the days that David reigned over
Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty
and three years reigned he in Jerusalem. 12 Then sat Solomon upon the
throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
2 Corinthians 12:1-13
1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory.
I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in
Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or
whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught
up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body,
or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was
caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not
lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself
I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For though I would desire
to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I
forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to
be, or that he heareth of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above
measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me
a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should
be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,
that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is
sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most
gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power
of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities,
in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for
Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 11 I am become a
fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been
commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles,
though I be nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among
you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. 13 For
what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that
I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
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Readings
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Thursday
1st
Lesson
Ecclesiasticus
(Wisdom of Sirach) 38:24
24 The wisdom of a learned man cometh by
opportunity of leisure: and he that hath little business shall become
wise. 25 How can he get wisdom that holdeth the plough, and that
glorieth in the goad, that driveth oxen, and is occupied in their
labours, and whose talk is of bullocks? 26 He giveth his mind to make
furrows; and is diligent to give the kine fodder. 27 So every carpenter
and workmaster, that laboureth night and day: and they that cut and
grave seals, and are diligent to make great variety, and give themselves
to counterfeit imagery, and watch to finish a work: 28 The smith also
sitting by the anvil, and considering the iron work, the vapour of the
fire wasteth his flesh, and he fighteth with the heat of the furnace:
the noise of the hammer and the anvil is ever in his ears, and his eyes
look still upon the pattern of the thing that he maketh; he setteth his
mind to finish his work, and watcheth to polish it perfectly: 29 So doth
the potter sitting at his work, and turning the wheel about with his
feet, who is alway carefully set at his work, and maketh all his work by
number; 30 He fashioneth the clay with his arm, and boweth down his
strength before his feet; he applieth himself to lead it over; and he is
diligent to make clean the furnace: 31 All these trust to their hands:
and every one is wise in his work. 32 Without these cannot a city be
inhabited: and they shall not dwell where they will, nor go up and down:
33 They shall not be sought for in publick counsel, nor sit high in the
congregation: they shall not sit on the judges' seat, nor understand the
sentence of judgment: they cannot declare justice and judgment; and they
shall not be found where parables are spoken. 34 But they will maintain
the state of the world, and [all] their desire is in the work of their
craft.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Matthew 8:14-27
14 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house,
he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. 15 And he touched
her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto
them. 16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were
possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and
healed all that were sick: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was
spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and
bare our sicknesses. 18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him,
he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. 19 And a certain
scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever
thou goest. 20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the
birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay
his head. 21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me
first to go and bury my father. 22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me;
and let the dead bury their dead. 23 And when he was entered into a
ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great
tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves:
but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him,
saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye
fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and
the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marvelled, saying,
What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey
him!
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Readings
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Friday
1st
Lesson
1 Kings 3:4-15
4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice
there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did
Solomon offer upon that altar. 5 In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon
in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. 6 And
Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great
mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in
righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept
for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on
his throne, as it is this day. 7 And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made
thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little
child: I know not how to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant is in the
midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot
be numbered nor counted for multitude. 9 Give therefore thy servant an
understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good
and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10 And the
speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God
said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked
for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast
asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself
understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to
thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so
that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any
arise like unto thee. 13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast
not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among
the kings like unto thee all thy days. 14 And if thou wilt walk in my
ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did
walk, then I will lengthen thy days. 15 And Solomon awoke; and, behold,
it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of
the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered
peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
2 Corinthians 12:14
14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to
you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you:
for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents
for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you;
though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. 16 But be it
so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with
guile. 17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain
of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same
steps? 19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak
before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your
edifying. 20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as
I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest
there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings,
swellings, tumults: 21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble
me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already,
and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and
lasciviousness which they have committed.
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Readings
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Friday
1st
Lesson
Ecclesiasticus
(Wisdom of Sirach) 42:15-21
15 I will now remember the works of the Lord,
and declare the things that I have seen: In the words of the Lord are
his works. 16 The sun that giveth light looketh upon all things, and the
work thereof is full of the glory of the Lord. 17 The Lord hath not
given power to the saints to declare all his marvellous works, which the
Almighty Lord firmly settled, that whatsoever is might be established
for his glory. 18 He seeketh out the deep, and the heart, and
considereth their crafty devices: for the Lord knoweth all that may be
known, and he beholdeth the signs of the world. 19 He declareth the
things that are past, and for to come, and revealeth the steps of hidden
things. 20 No thought escapeth him, neither any word is hidden from him.
21 He hath garnished the excellent works of his wisdom, and he is from
everlasting to everlasting: unto him may nothing be added, neither can
he be diminished, and he hath no need of any counsellor.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Matthew 8:28. 9:8
28 And when he was come to the other side into
the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils,
coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by
that way. 29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do
with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us
before the time? 30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of
many swine feeding. 31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast
us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 32 And he said unto
them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine:
and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place
into the sea, and perished in the waters. 33 And they that kept them
fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what
was befallen to the possessed of the devils. 34 And, behold, the whole
city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him
that he would depart out of their coasts.
1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over,
and came into his own city. 2 And, behold, they brought to him a man
sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said
unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven
thee. 3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This
man blasphemeth. 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore
think ye evil in your hearts? 5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins
be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 6 But that ye may know
that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he
to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine
house. 7 And he arose, and departed to his house. 8 But when the
multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given
such power unto men.
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Readings
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
Morning Prayer
Saturday
1st
Lesson
1 Kings 3:16
16 Then came there two women, that were harlots,
unto the king, and stood before him. 17 And the one woman said, O my
lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a
child with her in the house. 18 And it came to pass the third day after
that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were
together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the
house. 19 And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid
it. 20 And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while
thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child
in my bosom. 21 And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck,
behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning,
behold, it was not my son, which I did bear. 22 And the other woman
said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this
said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they
spake before the king. 23 Then said the king, The one saith, This is my
son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but
thy son is the dead, and my son is the living. 24 And the king said,
Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. 25 And the
king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and
half to the other. 26 Then spake the woman whose the living child was
unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my
lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other
said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. 27 Then the king
answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it:
she is the mother thereof. 28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which
the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the
wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
2 Corinthians 13
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In
the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. 2 I
told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second
time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned,
and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: 3 Since ye
seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak,
but is mighty in you. 4 For though he was crucified through weakness,
yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we
shall live with him by the power of God toward you. 5 Examine
yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye
not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be
reprobates? 6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear
approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as
reprobates. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the
truth. 9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this
also we wish, even your perfection. 10 Therefore I write these things
being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to
the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to
destruction. 11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good
comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace
shall be with you. 12 Greet one another with an holy kiss. 13 All the
saints salute you. 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love
of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
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Readings
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
Evening Prayer
Saturday
1st
Lesson
Ecclesiasticus
(Wisdom of Sirach) 43:1-12
1 The pride of the height, the clear firmament,
the beauty of heaven, with his glorious shew; 2 The sun when it
appeareth, declaring at his rising a marvellous instrument, the work of
the most High: 3 At noon it parcheth the country, and who can abide the
burning heat thereof? 4 A man blowing a furnace is in works of heat, but
the sun burneth the mountains three times more; breathing out fiery
vapours, and sending forth bright beams, it dimmeth the eyes. 5 Great is
the Lord that made it; and at his commandment runneth hastily. 6 He made
the moon also to serve in her season for a declaration of times, and a
sign of the world. 7 From the moon is the sign of feasts, a light that
decreaseth in her perfection. 8 The month is called after her name,
increasing wonderfully in her changing, being an instrument of the
armies above, shining in the firmament of heaven; 9 The beauty of
heaven, the glory of the stars, an ornament giving light in the highest
places of the Lord. 10 At the commandment of the Holy One they will
stand in their order, and never faint in their watches. 11 Look upon the
rainbow, and praise him that made it; very beautiful it is in the
brightness thereof. 12 It compasseth the heaven about with a glorious
circle, and the hands of the most High have bended it.
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Readings
2nd
Lesson
Matthew 9:9-17
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. 14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we
and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 15 And Jesus
said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as
the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom
shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. 16 No man putteth a
piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill
it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. 17 Neither do
men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine
runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new
bottles, and both are preserved.
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