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First Sunday after
Easter
Morning Prayer
Sunday
1st Lesson
Wisdom 2:23. 3:9
23 For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of
his own eternity. 24 Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death
into the world: and they that do hold of his side do find it.
1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there
shall no torment touch them. 2 In the sight of the unwise they seemed to
die: and their departure is taken for misery, 3 And their going from us
to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. 4 For though they be
punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. 5
And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for
God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. 6 As gold in the
furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering. 7 And
in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro
like sparks among the stubble. 8 They shall judge the nations, and have
dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. 9 They
that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be
faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his
saints, and he hath care for his elect.
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2nd Lesson
Romans 1:1-12
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated
unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets
in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And
declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of
holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5 By whom we have received
grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for
his name: 6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 7 To all
that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and
peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 8 First, I thank
my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of
throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with
my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention
of you always in my prayers; 10 Making request, if by any means now at
length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto
you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual
gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 That is, that I may be
comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and
me.
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1st Lesson
Isaiah 43:1-12
1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that
formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called
thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters,
I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow
thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned;
neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the Lord thy God,
the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou
hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men
for thee, and people for thy life. 5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I
will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; 6 I
will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring
my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; 7 Even
every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my
glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. 8 Bring forth the blind
people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. 9 Let all the
nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among
them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth
their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say,
It is truth. 10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom
I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am
he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
11 I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. 12 I have
declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange
god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am
God.
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2nd Lesson
Luke 24:36-49
36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them,
and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and
affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said
unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your
hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me,
and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40
And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41
And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto
them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled
fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them.
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you,
while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were
written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms,
concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might
understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written,
and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the
third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be
preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And
ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of
my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be
endued with power from on high.
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First Sunday after Easter
Evening Prayer
Sunday
1st Lesson
Zephaniah 3:14
14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice
with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. 15 The Lord hath taken away
thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even
the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. 16
In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion,
Let not thine hands be slack. 17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee
is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will
rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. 18 I will gather
them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to
whom the reproach of it was a burden. 19 Behold, at that time I will
undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather
her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every
land where they have been put to shame. 20 At that time will I bring you
again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name
and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your
captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord.
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Readings
2nd Lesson
John 20:19
19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week,
when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of
the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace
be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands
and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent
me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on
them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever
sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye
retain, they are retained. 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called
Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples
therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them,
Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my
finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I
will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were
within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and
stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to
Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither
thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but
believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast
believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples,
which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye
might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that
believing ye might have life through his name.
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Readings
1st Lesson
2 Esdras 2:33
33 I Esdras received a charge of the Lord upon the mount Oreb, that I
should go unto Israel; but when I came unto them, they set me at nought,
and despised the commandment of the Lord. 34 And therefore I say unto
you, O ye heathen, that hear and understand, look for your Shepherd, he
shall give you everlasting rest; for he is nigh at hand, that shall come
in the end of the world. 35 Be ready to the reward of the kingdom, for
the everlasting light shall shine upon you for evermore. 36 Flee the
shadow of this world, receive the joyfulness of your glory: I testify my
Saviour openly. 37 O receive the gift that is given you, and be glad,
giving thanks unto him that hath led you to the heavenly kingdom. 38
Arise up and stand, behold the number of those that be sealed in the
feast of the Lord; 39 Which are departed from the shadow of the world,
and have received glorious garments of the Lord. 40 Take thy number, O
Sion, and shut up those of thine that are clothed in white, which have
fulfilled the law of the Lord. 41 The number of thy children, whom thou
longedst for, is fulfilled: beseech the power of the Lord, that thy
people, which have been called from the beginning, may be hallowed. 42 I
Esdras saw upon the mount Sion a great people, whom I could not number,
and they all praised the Lord with songs. 43 And in the midst of them
there was a young man of a high stature, taller than all the rest, and
upon every one of their heads he set crowns, and was more exalted; which
I marvelled at greatly. 44 So I asked the angel, and said, Sir, what are
these? 45 He answered and said unto me, These be they that have put off
the mortal clothing, and put on the immortal, and have confessed the
name of God: now are they crowned, and receive palms. 46 Then said I
unto the angel, What young person is it that crowneth them, and giveth
them palms in their hands? 47 So he answered and said unto me, It is the
Son of God, whom they have confessed in the world. Then began I greatly
to commend them that stood so stiffly for the name of the Lord. 48 Then
the angel said unto me, Go thy way, and tell my people what manner of
things, and how great wonders of the Lord thy God, thou hast
seen.
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2nd Lesson
Revelation 1:4-18
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and
peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from
the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5 And from Jesus Christ,
who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the
prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us
from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests
unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.
Amen. 7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and
they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail
because of him. Even so, Amen. 8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and
the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to
come, the Almighty. 9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in
tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the
isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony
of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard
behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and
Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book,
and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and
unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and
unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12 And I turned to see the voice
that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of
man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps
with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as
white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet
like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as
the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars:
and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance
was as the sun shineth in his strength. 17 And when I saw him, I fell at
his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me,
Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was
dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of
hell and of death.
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First Sunday after
Easter
Morning Prayer
Monday
1st Lesson
Exodus 13:3-16
3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came
out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the
Lord brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be
eaten. 4 This day came ye out in the month Abib. 5 And it shall be when
the Lord shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the
Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he
sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey,
that thou shalt keep this service in this month. 6 Seven days thou shalt
eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the
Lord. 7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no
leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen
with thee in all thy quarters. 8 And thou shalt shew thy son in that
day, saying, This is done because of that which the Lord did unto me
when I came forth out of Egypt. 9 And it shall be for a sign unto thee
upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord's
law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the Lord brought
thee out of Egypt. 10 Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his
season from year to year. 11 And it shall be when the Lord shall bring
thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy
fathers, and shall give it thee, 12 That thou shalt set apart unto the
Lord all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a
beast which thou hast; the males shall be the Lord's. 13 And every
firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not
redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man
among thy children shalt thou redeem. 14 And it shall be when thy son
asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say
unto him, By strength of hand the Lord brought us out from Egypt, from
the house of bondage: 15 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly
let us go, that the Lord slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt,
both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I
sacrifice to the Lord all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all
the firstborn of my children I redeem. 16 And it shall be for a token
upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength
of hand the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt.
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2nd Lesson
Hebrews 1
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past
unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto
us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also
he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the
express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his
power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right
hand of the Majesty on high; 4 Being made so much better than the
angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than
they. 5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my
Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a
Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 6 And again, when he bringeth in
the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of
God worship him. 7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels
spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. 8 But unto the Son he saith,
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is
the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated
iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil
of gladness above thy fellows. 10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast
laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine
hands: 11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax
old as doth a garment; 12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and
they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not
fail. 13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right
hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14 Are they not all
ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs
of salvation?
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First Sunday after
Easter
Evening Prayer
Monday
1st Lesson
Isaiah 40:1-11
1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2 Speak ye
comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is
accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of
the Lord's hand double for all her sins. 3 The voice of him that crieth
in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the
desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every
mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made
straight, and the rough places plain: 5 And the glory of the Lord shall
be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the
Lord hath spoken it. 6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I
cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower
of the field: 7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the
spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. 8 The
grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand
for ever. 9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the
high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy
voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of
Judah, Behold your God! 10 Behold, the Lord God will come with strong
hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him,
and his work before him. 11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he
shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and
shall gently lead those that are with young.
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2nd Lesson
1 Peter 1:1-12
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered
throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification
of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus
Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 3 Blessed be the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant
mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and
undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who
are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be
revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for
a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold
that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise
and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not
seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye
rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of
your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10 Of which salvation the
prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the
grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of
time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it
testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should
follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto
us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them
that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down
from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
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First Sunday after
Easter
Morning Prayer
Tuesday
1st Lesson
Exodus 13:17. 14:4
17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God
led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although
that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when
they see war, and they return to Egypt: 18 But God led the people about,
through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of
Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. 19 And Moses took the
bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of
Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my
bones away hence with you. 20 And they took their journey from Succoth,
and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the Lord
went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way;
and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and
night: 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the
pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of
Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and
the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.
3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in
the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. 4 And I will harden
Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured
upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I
am the Lord. And they did so.
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2nd Lesson
Hebrews 2:1-8
1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things
which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if
the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and
disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we
escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be
spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with
divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come,
whereof we speak. 6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What
is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou
visitest him? 7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou
crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of
thy hands: 8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For
in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not
put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
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First Sunday after
Easter
Evening Prayer
Tuesday
1st Lesson
Isaiah 40:12-17
12 Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted
out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a
measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a
balance? 13 Who hath directed the spirit of the Lord, or being his
counsellor hath taught him? 14 With whom took he counsel, and who
instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him
knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? 15 Behold, the
nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of
the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. 16
And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient
for a burnt offering. 17 All nations before him are as nothing; and they
are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.
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2nd Lesson
1 Peter 1:13
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to
the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation
of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves
according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath
called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on
the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every
man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18 Forasmuch
as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver
and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your
fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without
blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the
foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and
gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 22 Seeing ye
have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto
unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure
heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of
incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of
grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But
the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by
the gospel is preached unto you.
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First Sunday after
Easter
Morning Prayer
Wednesday
1st Lesson
Exodus 14:5-14, 19-21, 24-28,
30
5 And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the
heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and
they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from
serving us? 6 And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with
him: 7 And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of
Egypt, and captains over every one of them. 8 And the Lord hardened the
heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of
Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand. 9 But the
Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh,
and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea,
beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon. 10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the
children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians
marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of
Israel cried out unto the Lord. 11 And they said unto Moses, Because
there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the
wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth
out of Egypt? 12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt,
saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been
better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the
wilderness. 13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still,
and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for
the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more
for ever. 14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your
peace.
19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel,
removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from
before their face, and stood behind them: 20 And it came between the
camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and
darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one
came not near the other all the night. 21 And Moses stretched out his
hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong
east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were
divided.
24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked
unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the
cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, 25 And took off their
chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians
said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for
them against the Egyptians. 26 And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out
thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the
Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. 27 And Moses
stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his
strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it;
and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 28 And the
waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the
host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so
much as one of them.
30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the
Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
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2nd Lesson
Hebrews 2:9
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for
the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the
grace of God should taste death for every man. 10 For it became him, for
whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons
unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through
sufferings. 11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified
are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the
church will I sing praise unto thee. 13 And again, I will put my trust
in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. 14
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also
himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might
destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And
deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject
to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but
he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it
behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a
merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make
reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself
hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are
tempted.
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First Sunday after
Easter
Evening Prayer
Wednesday
1st Lesson
Isaiah 40:18, 21-31
18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare
unto him?
21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you
from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the
earth? 22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the
inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens
as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: 23 That
bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as
vanity. 24 Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown:
yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also
blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them
away as stubble. 25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal?
saith the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath
created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth
them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong
in power; not one faileth. 27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O
Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from
my God? 28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the
everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth,
fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his
understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no
might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be
weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon
the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as
eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not
faint.
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2nd Lesson
1 Peter 2:1-10
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies,
and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the
sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have
tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4 To whom coming, as unto a living
stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye
also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus
Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay
in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on
him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is
precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the
builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a
stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at
the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But
ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath
called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time
past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not
obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
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First Sunday after
Easter
Morning Prayer
Thursday
1st Lesson
Exodus 15:20
20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in
her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with
dances. 21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath
triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the
sea. 22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into
the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and
found no water. 23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of
the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was
called Marah. 24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What
shall we drink? 25 And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a
tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made
sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he
proved them, 26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice
of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and
wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put
none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the
Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. 27 And they came to
Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm
trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
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2nd Lesson
Hebrews 3
1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling,
consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2
Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful
in all his house. 3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than
Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than
the house. 4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built
all things is God. 5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as
a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken
after; 6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if
we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the
end. 7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his
voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of
temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me,
and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that
generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have
not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into
my rest.) 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil
heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one
another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened
through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of
Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the
end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not
your hearts, as in the provocation. 16 For some, when they had heard,
did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17 But
with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had
sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom sware he
that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
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First Sunday after
Easter
Evening Prayer
Thursday
1st Lesson
Isaiah 42:1-9
1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul
delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment
to the Gentiles. 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to
be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the
smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto
truth. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment
in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. 5 Thus saith God the
Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that
spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth
breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: 6
I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand,
and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a
light of the Gentiles; 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the
prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the
prison house. 8 I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not
give to another, neither my praise to graven images. 9 Behold, the
former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they
spring forth I tell you of them.
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2nd Lesson
1 Peter 2:11-17
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain
from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your
conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against
you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold,
glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Submit yourselves to every
ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as
supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the
punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For
so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the
ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a
cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honour all men.
Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
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First Sunday after
Easter
Morning Prayer
Friday
1st Lesson
Exodus 16:1-7, 13b-15
1 And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of
the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between
Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their
departing out of the land of Egypt. 2 And the whole congregation of the
children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: 3
And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by
the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh
pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us
forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. 4
Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for
you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day,
that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. 5 And it
shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which
they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. 6 And
Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye
shall know that the Lord hath brought you out from the land of Egypt: 7
And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the Lord; for that he
heareth your murmurings against the Lord: and what are we, that ye
murmur against us?
13 And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered
the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. 14 And
when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the
wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on
the ground. 15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to
another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto
them, This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat.
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2nd Lesson
Hebrews 4:1-13
1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering
into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us
was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did
not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For
we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn
in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were
finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he spake in a certain
place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day
from all his works. 5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into
my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein,
and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of
unbelief: 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day,
after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice,
harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would
he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore
a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he
also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us
labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the
same example of unbelief. 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful,
and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing
asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there
any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked
and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
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First Sunday after
Easter
Evening Prayer
Friday
1st Lesson
Isaiah 42:10-17
10 Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the
earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles,
and the inhabitants thereof. 11 Let the wilderness and the cities
thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let
the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the
mountains. 12 Let them give glory unto the Lord, and declare his praise
in the islands. 13 The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall
stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall
prevail against his enemies. 14 I have long time holden my peace; I have
been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing
woman; I will destroy and devour at once. 15 I will make waste mountains
and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers
islands, and I will dry up the pools. 16 And I will bring the blind by a
way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not
known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things
straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. 17
They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in
graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.
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2nd Lesson
1 Peter 2:18
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to
the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is
thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering
wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your
faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer
for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even
hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us
an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither
was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not
again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him
that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own
body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto
righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep
going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your
souls.
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First Sunday after
Easter
Morning Prayer
Saturday
1st Lesson
Exodus 17:1-7
1 And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from
the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the
commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water
for the people to drink. 2 Wherefore the people did chide with Moses,
and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why
chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord? 3 And the people
thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and
said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to
kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? 4 And Moses cried
unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost
ready to stone me. 5 And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the
people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod,
wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. 6 Behold,
I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt
smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people
may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And
he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the
chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord,
saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?
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2nd Lesson
Hebrews 4:14. 5:14
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into
the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling
of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in
things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices
for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that
are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with
infirmity. 3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also
for himself, to offer for sins. 4 And no man taketh this honour unto
himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5 So also Christ
glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto
him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in
another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec. 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up
prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was
able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though
he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto
all them that obey him; 10 Called of God an high priest after the order
of Melchisedec. 11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be
uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye
ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the
first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need
of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is
unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong
meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of
use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
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First Sunday after
Easter
Evening Prayer
Saturday
1st Lesson
Isaiah 43:1-7
1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that
formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called
thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters,
I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow
thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned;
neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the Lord thy God,
the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou
hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men
for thee, and people for thy life. 5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I
will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; 6 I
will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring
my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; 7 Even
every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my
glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
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2nd Lesson
1 Peter 3:1-12
1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if
any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the
conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation
coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning
of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of
apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is
not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is
in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old
time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being
in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham,
calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are
not afraid with any amazement. 7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them
according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker
vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your
prayers be not hindered. 8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having
compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise
blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a
blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him
refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11
Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open
unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do
evil.
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