Thursday 12 February 2009<span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span><!--StartFragment-->
<p class="MsoNormal">DAILY LECTIONARY</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Email Evangelism, forward to a friend: http://www.dailylectionary.org</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Isaiah 60:1-17</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Arise, shine; for your light has come,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For darkness shall cover the earth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and thick darkness the peoples;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">but the Lord will arise upon you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his glory will appear over you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nations shall come to your light,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and kings to the brightness of your dawn.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lift up your eyes and look around;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they all gather together, they come to you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">your sons shall come from far away,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then you shall see and be radiant;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your heart shall thrill and rejoice,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the wealth of the nations shall come to you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A multitude of camels shall cover you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the young camels of Midian and Ephah;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all those from Sheba shall come.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They shall bring gold and frankincense,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">they shall be acceptable on my altar,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I will glorify my glorious house.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who are these that fly like a cloud,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and like doves to their windows?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the coastlands shall wait for me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the ships of Tarshish first,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to bring your children from far away,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>their silver and gold with them,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for the name of the Lord your God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and for the Holy One of Israel,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because he has glorified you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Foreigners shall build up your walls,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their kings shall minister to you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for in my wrath I struck you down,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but in my favour I have had mercy on you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your gates shall always be open;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>day and night they shall not be shut,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">so that nations shall bring you their wealth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with their kings led in procession.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the nation and kingdom</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that will not serve you shall perish;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>those nations shall be utterly laid waste.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The glory of Lebanon shall come to you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the cypress, the plane, and the pine,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to beautify the place of my sanctuary;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I will glorify where my feet rest.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The descendants of those who oppressed you</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>shall come bending low to you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and all who despised you</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>shall bow down at your feet;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">they shall call you the City of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whereas you have been forsaken and hated,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with no one passing through,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will make you majestic for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a joy from age to age.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You shall suck the milk of nations,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you shall suck the breasts of kings;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and you shall know that I, the Lord, am your Saviour</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Instead of bronze I will bring gold,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>instead of iron I will bring silver;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">instead of wood, bronze,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>instead of stones, iron.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will appoint Peace as your overseer</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and Righteousness as your taskmaster.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2 Timothy 2:14-26</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Remind them of this, and warn them before God* that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his’, and, ‘Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special use, some for ordinary. All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned* will become special utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work. Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant* must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. ******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mark 10:17-31</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother.” ’ He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money* to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is* to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were greatly astounded and said to one another,* ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news,* who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’ ******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 83, 146, 147</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 83</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O God, do not keep silence;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not hold your peace or be still, O God!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Even now your enemies are in tumult;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>those who hate you have raised their heads.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They lay crafty plans against your people;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they consult together against those you protect.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They say, ‘Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the name of Israel be remembered no more.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They conspire with one accord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>against you they make a covenant—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Moab and the Hagrites,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Assyria also has joined them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they are the strong arm of the children of Lot.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do to them as you did to Midian,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as to Sisera and Jabin at the Wadi Kishon,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who were destroyed at En-dor,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who became dung for the ground.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who said, ‘Let us take the pastures of God</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for our own possession.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O my God, make them like whirling dust,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>like chaff before the wind.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As fire consumes the forest,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">so pursue them with your tempest</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and terrify them with your hurricane.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fill their faces with shame,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that they may seek your name, O Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let them be put to shame and dismayed for ever;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let them perish in disgrace.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let them know that you alone,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>whose name is the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>are the Most High over all the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 146</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Praise the Lord!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Praise the Lord, O my soul!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will praise the Lord as long as I live;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will sing praises to my God all my life long.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not put your trust in princes,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in mortals, in whom there is no help.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When their breath departs, they return to the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>on that very day their plans perish.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>whose hope is in the Lord their God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who made heaven and earth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the sea, and all that is in them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who keeps faith for ever;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who executes justice for the oppressed;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who gives food to the hungry.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord sets the prisoners free;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord loves the righteous.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord watches over the strangers;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he upholds the orphan and the widow,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord will reign for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your God, O Zion, for all generations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Praise the Lord!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 147</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Praise the Lord!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How good it is to sing praises to our God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord builds up Jerusalem;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he gathers the outcasts of Israel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He heals the broken-hearted,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and binds up their wounds.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He determines the number of the stars;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he gives to all of them their names.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>his understanding is beyond measure.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord lifts up the downtrodden;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he casts the wicked to the ground.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>make melody to our God on the lyre.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He covers the heavens with clouds,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>prepares rain for the earth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>makes grass grow on the hills.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He gives to the animals their food,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and to the young ravens when they cry.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His delight is not in the strength of the horse,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in those who hope in his steadfast love.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Praise your God, O Zion!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For he strengthens the bars of your gates;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he blesses your children within you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He grants peace* within your borders;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he fills you with the finest of wheat.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He sends out his command to the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>his word runs swiftly.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He gives snow like wool;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he scatters frost like ashes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He hurls down hail like crumbs—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who can stand before his cold?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He sends out his word, and melts them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He declares his word to Jacob,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>his statutes and ordinances to Israel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He has not dealt thus with any other nation;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they do not know his ordinances.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Praise the Lord!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 85, 86</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 85</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lord, you were favourable to your land;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you restored the fortunes of Jacob.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You forgave the iniquity of your people;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you pardoned all their sin.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You withdrew all your wrath;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you turned from your hot anger.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Restore us again, O God of our salvation,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and put away your indignation towards us.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Will you be angry with us for ever?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Will you prolong your anger to all generations?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Will you not revive us again,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that your people may rejoice in you?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and grant us your salvation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for he will speak peace to his people,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that his glory may dwell in our land.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>righteousness and peace will kiss each other.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and righteousness will look down from the sky.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord will give what is good,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and our land will yield its increase.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Righteousness will go before him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and will make a path for his steps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 86</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for I am poor and needy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>save your servant who trusts in you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are my God; be gracious to me, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for to you do I cry all day long.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Gladden the soul of your servant,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>listen to my cry of supplication.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the day of my trouble I call on you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for you will answer me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nor are there any works like yours.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All the nations you have made shall come</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and bow down before you, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and shall glorify your name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you are great and do wondrous things;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you alone are God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Teach me your way, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that I may walk in your truth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give me an undivided heart to revere your name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I will glorify your name for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For great is your steadfast love towards me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O God, the insolent rise up against me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a band of ruffians seeks my life,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and they do not set you before them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Turn to me and be gracious to me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give your strength to your servant;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>save the child of your serving-maid.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Show me a sign of your favour,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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