Wednesday 4 September 2013 DAILY LECTIONARY

[Daily Lectionary]

Wednesday 4 September 2013 
DAILY LECTIONARY

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1 Kings 9:24-10:13

But Pharaoh’s daughter went up from the city of David to her own house that Solomon had built for her; then he built the Millo. 
25 Three times a year Solomon used to offer up burnt-offerings and sacrifices of well-being on the altar that he built for the Lord, offering incense* before the Lord. So he completed the house. 
Solomon’s Commercial Activity26 King Solomon built a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, which is near Eloth on the shore of the Red Sea,* in the land of Edom. 27Hiram sent his servants with the fleet, sailors who were familiar with the sea, together with the servants of Solomon. 28They went to Ophir, and imported from there four hundred and twenty talents of gold, which they delivered to King Solomon. 
Visit of the Queen of Sheba10When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, (fame due to* the name of the Lord), she came to test him with hard questions. 2She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices, and very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. 3Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. 4When the queen of Sheba had observed all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his valets, and his burnt-offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her. 
6 So she said to the king, ‘The report was true that I heard in my own land of your accomplishments and of your wisdom, 7but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. Not even half had been told me; your wisdom and prosperity far surpass the report that I had heard. 8Happy are your wives!* Happy are these your servants, who continually attend you and hear your wisdom! 9Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel for ever, he has made you king to execute justice and righteousness.’ 10Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones; never again did spices come in such quantity as that which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. 
11 Moreover, the fleet of Hiram, which carried gold from Ophir, brought from Ophir a great quantity of almug wood and precious stones. 12From the almug wood the king made supports for the house of the Lord, and for the king’s house, lyres also and harps for the singers; no such almug wood has come or been seen to this day. 
13 Meanwhile, King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba every desire that she expressed, as well as what he gave her out of Solomon’s royal bounty. Then she returned to her own land, with her servants. ******************************************************************
James 3:1-12

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters,* for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature,* and is itself set on fire by hell.* 7For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters,* this ought not to be so. 11Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters,* yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh. ******************************************************************
Mark 15:1-11

As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. 2Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ He answered him, ‘You say so.’ 3Then the chief priests accused him of many things. 4Pilate asked him again, ‘Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.’ 5But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. 
Pilate Hands Jesus over to Be Crucified6 Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. 7Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. 8So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. 9Then he answered them, ‘Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?’ 10For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. 11But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead.
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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. 
2For your arrows have sunk into me,
   and your hand has come down on me. 


3There is no soundness in my flesh
   because of your indignation;
there is no health in my bones
   because of my sin. 
4For my iniquities have gone over my head;
   they weigh like a burden too heavy for me. 


5My wounds grow foul and fester
   because of my foolishness; 
6I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
   all day long I go around mourning. 
7For my loins are filled with burning,
   and there is no soundness in my flesh. 
8I am utterly spent and crushed;
   I groan because of the tumult of my heart. 


9O Lord, all my longing is known to you;
   my sighing is not hidden from you. 
10My heart throbs, my strength fails me;
   as for the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me. 
11My friends and companions stand aloof from my affliction,
   and my neighbours stand far off. 


12Those who seek my life lay their snares;
   those who seek to hurt me speak of ruin,
   and meditate treachery all day long. 


13But I am like the deaf, I do not hear;
   like the mute, who cannot speak. 
14Truly, I am like one who does not hear,
   and in whose mouth is no retort. 


15But it is for you, O Lord, that I wait;
   it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. 
16For I pray, ‘Only do not let them rejoice over me,
   those who boast against me when my foot slips.’ 


17For I am ready to fall,
   and my pain is ever with me. 
18I confess my iniquity;
   I am sorry for my sin. 
19Those who are my foes without cause* are mighty,
   and many are those who hate me wrongfully. 
20Those who render me evil for good
   are my adversaries because I follow after good. 


21Do not forsake me, O Lord;
   O my God, do not be far from me; 
22make 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. 
26When I told of my ways, you answered me;
   teach me your statutes. 
27Make me understand the way of your precepts,
   and I will meditate on your wondrous works. 
28My soul melts away for sorrow;
   strengthen me according to your word. 
29Put false ways far from me;
   and graciously teach me your law. 
30I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
   I set your ordinances before me. 
31I cling to your decrees, O Lord;
   let me not be put to shame. 
32I run the way of your commandments,
   for you enlarge my understanding. 


33Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes,
   and I will observe it to the end. 
34Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
   and observe it with my whole heart. 
35Lead me in the path of your commandments,
   for I delight in it. 
36Turn my heart to your decrees,
   and not to selfish gain. 
37Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
   give me life in your ways. 
38Confirm to your servant your promise,
   which is for those who fear you. 
39Turn away the disgrace that I dread,
   for your ordinances are good. 
40See, I have longed for your precepts;
   in your righteousness give me life. 


41Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
   your salvation according to your promise. 
42Then I shall have an answer for those who taunt me,
   for I trust in your word. 
43Do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
   for my hope is in your ordinances. 
44I will keep your law continually,
   for ever and ever. 
45I shall walk at liberty,
   for I have sought your precepts. 
46I will also speak of your decrees before kings,
   and shall not be put to shame; 
47I find my delight in your commandments,
   because I love them. 
48I revere your commandments, which I love,
   and I will meditate on your statutes. 
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