Wednesday 23 January 2008 DAILY LECTIONARY

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Wednesday 23 January 2008 
DAILY LECTIONARY

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Genesis 9:18-29

The sons of Noah who went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Ham was the father of Canaan. These three were the sons of Noah; and
from these the whole earth was peopled.

 Noah, a man of the soil, was the first to plant a vineyard. He drank
some of the wine and became drunk, and he lay uncovered in his tent. And
Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his
two brothers outside. Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on
both their shoulders, and walked backwards and covered the nakedness of
their father; their faces were turned away, and they did not see their
father's nakedness. When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his
youngest son had done to him, he said,
'Cursed be Canaan;
   lowest of slaves shall he be to his brothers.' 
He also said,
'Blessed by the Lord my God be Shem;
   and let Canaan be his slave. 
May God make space for* Japheth,
   and let him live in the tents of Shem;
   and let Canaan be his slave.'

 After the flood Noah lived for three hundred and fifty years. All the
days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years; and he died.
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Hebrews 6:1-12

Therefore let us go on towards perfection,* leaving behind the basic
teaching about Christ, and not laying again the foundation: repentance
from dead works and faith towards God, instruction about baptisms,
laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgement. And
we will do* this, if God permits. For it is impossible to restore again
to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the
heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the
goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then
have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son
of God and are holding him up to contempt. Ground that drinks up the
rain falling on it repeatedly, and that produces a crop useful to those
for whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it
produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and on the verge of being
cursed; its end is to be burned over.

 Even though we speak in this way, beloved, we are confident of better
things in your case, things that belong to salvation. For God is not
unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for
his sake* in serving the saints, as you still do. And we want each one
of you to show the same diligence, so as to realize the full assurance
of hope to the very end, so that you may not become sluggish, but
imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
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John 3:22-36

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and
he spent some time there with them and baptized. John also was baptizing
at Aenon near Salim because water was abundant there; and people kept
coming and were being baptized- John, of course, had not yet been thrown
into prison.

 Now a discussion about purification arose between John's disciples and
a Jew.* They came to John and said to him, 'Rabbi, the one who was with
you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and
all are going to him.' John answered, 'No one can receive anything
except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses
that I said, "I am not the Messiah,* but I have been sent ahead of him."
He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom,
who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice.
For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must
decrease.'*
 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth
belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes
from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
yet no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted his testimony has
certified* this, that God is true. He whom God has sent speaks the words
of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the
Son and has placed all things in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son
has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must
endure God's wrath.
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Morning Psalms:  Psalm 38

Psalm 38

O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger,
   or discipline me in your wrath. 
For your arrows have sunk into me,
   and your hand has come down on me. 


There is no soundness in my flesh
   because of your indignation;
there is no health in my bones
   because of my sin. 
For my iniquities have gone over my head;
   they weigh like a burden too heavy for me. 


My wounds grow foul and fester
   because of my foolishness; 
I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
   all day long I go around mourning. 
For my loins are filled with burning,
   and there is no soundness in my flesh. 
I am utterly spent and crushed;
   I groan because of the tumult of my heart. 


O Lord, all my longing is known to you;
   my sighing is not hidden from you. 
My heart throbs, my strength fails me;
   as for the light of my eyes-it also has gone from me. 
My friends and companions stand aloof from my affliction,
   and my neighbours stand far off. 


Those who seek my life lay their snares;
   those who seek to hurt me speak of ruin,
   and meditate treachery all day long. 


But I am like the deaf, I do not hear;
   like the mute, who cannot speak. 
Truly, I am like one who does not hear,
   and in whose mouth is no retort. 


But it is for you, O Lord, that I wait;
   it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. 
For I pray, 'Only do not let them rejoice over me,
   those who boast against me when my foot slips.' 


For I am ready to fall,
   and my pain is ever with me. 
I confess my iniquity;
   I am sorry for my sin. 
Those who are my foes without cause* are mighty,
   and many are those who hate me wrongfully. 
Those who render me evil for good
   are my adversaries because I follow after good. 


Do not forsake me, O Lord;
   O my God, do not be far from me; 
make haste to help me,
   O Lord, my salvation.
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Evening Psalms:  Psalm 119:25-48

Psalm 119:25-48

My soul clings to the dust;
   revive me according to your word. 
When I told of my ways, you answered me;
   teach me your statutes. 
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
   and I will meditate on your wondrous works. 
My soul melts away for sorrow;
   strengthen me according to your word. 
Put false ways far from me;
   and graciously teach me your law. 
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
   I set your ordinances before me. 
I cling to your decrees, O Lord;
   let me not be put to shame. 
I run the way of your commandments,
   for you enlarge my understanding. 


Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes,
   and I will observe it to the end. 
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
   and observe it with my whole heart. 
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
   for I delight in it. 
Turn my heart to your decrees,
   and not to selfish gain. 
Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
   give me life in your ways. 
Confirm to your servant your promise,
   which is for those who fear you. 
Turn away the disgrace that I dread,
   for your ordinances are good. 
See, I have longed for your precepts;
   in your righteousness give me life. 


Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
   your salvation according to your promise. 
Then I shall have an answer for those who taunt me,
   for I trust in your word. 
Do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
   for my hope is in your ordinances. 
I will keep your law continually,
   for ever and ever. 
I shall walk at liberty,
   for I have sought your precepts. 
I will also speak of your decrees before kings,
   and shall not be put to shame; 
I find my delight in your commandments,
   because I love them. 
I revere your commandments, which I love,
   and I will meditate on your statutes.
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