Sunday 9 August 2009<!--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">2 Samuel 13:1-22<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some time passed. David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister whose name was Tamar; and David’s son Amnon fell in love with her. Amnon was so tormented that he made himself ill because of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin and it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her. But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah; and Jonadab was a very crafty man. He said to him, ‘O son of the king, why are you so haggard morning after morning? Will you not tell me?’ Amnon said to him, ‘I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.’ Jonadab said to him, ‘Lie down on your bed, and pretend to be ill; and when your father comes to see you, say to him, “Let my sister Tamar come and give me something to eat, and prepare the food in my sight, so that I may see it and eat it from her hand.” ’ So Amnon lay down, and pretended to be ill; and when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and make a couple of cakes in my sight, so that I may eat from her hand.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, ‘Go to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him.’ So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house, where he was lying down. She took dough, kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes. Then she took the pan and set them* out before him, but he refused to eat. Amnon said, ‘Send out everyone from me.’ So everyone went out from him. Then Amnon said to Tamar, ‘Bring the food into the chamber, so that I may eat from your hand.’ So Tamar took the cakes she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. But when she brought them near him to eat, he took hold of her, and said to her, ‘Come, lie with me, my sister.’ She answered him, ‘No, my brother, do not force me; for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do anything so vile! As for me, where could I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be as one of the scoundrels in Israel. Now therefore, I beg you, speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.’ But he would not listen to her; and being stronger than she was, he forced her and lay with her.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then Amnon was seized with a very great loathing for her; indeed, his loathing was even greater than the lust he had felt for her. Amnon said to her, ‘Get out!’ But she said to him, ‘No, my brother;* for this wrong in sending me away is greater than the other that you did to me.’ But he would not listen to her. He called the young man who served him and said, ‘Put this woman out of my presence, and bolt the door after her.’ (Now she was wearing a long robe with sleeves; for this is how the virgin daughters of the king were clothed in earlier times.*) So his servant put her out, and bolted the door after her. But Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore the long robe that she was wearing; she put her hand on her head, and went away, crying aloud as she went.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Her brother Absalom said to her, ‘Has Amnon your brother been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister; he is your brother; do not take this to heart.’ So Tamar remained, a desolate woman, in her brother Absalom’s house. When King David heard of all these things, he became very angry, but he would not punish his son Amnon, because he loved him, for he was his firstborn.* But Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had raped his sister Tamar.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Romans 15:1-13</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbour for the good purpose of building up the neighbour. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Therefore I will confess* you among the Gentiles,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and sing praises to your name’;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and again he says,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people’;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and again,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and let all the peoples praise him’;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and again Isaiah says,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘The root of Jesse shall come,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">in him the Gentiles shall hope.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John 3:22-36</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>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.’*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>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.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 66, 67</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 66</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>sing the glory of his name;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give to him glorious praise.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All the earth worships you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they sing praises to you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>sing praises to your name.’</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">Come and see what God has done:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he is awesome in his deeds among mortals.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He turned the sea into dry land;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they passed through the river on foot.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There we rejoiced in him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who rules by his might for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">whose eyes keep watch on the nations—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the rebellious not exalt themselves.</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">Bless our God, O peoples,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the sound of his praise be heard,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who has kept us among the living,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and has not let our feet slip.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you, O God, have tested us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have tried us as silver is tried.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You brought us into the net;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you laid burdens on our backs;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">you let people ride over our heads;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>we went through fire and through water;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">yet you have brought us out to a spacious place.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will come into your house with burnt-offerings;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will pay you my vows,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">those that my lips uttered</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will offer to you burnt-offerings of fatlings,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will make an offering of bulls and goats.</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">Come and hear, all you who fear God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I will tell what he has done for me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I cried aloud to him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and he was extolled with my tongue.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord would not have listened.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But truly God has listened;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he has given heed to the words of my prayer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Blessed be God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because he has not rejected my prayer</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or removed his steadfast love from me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 67</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May God be gracious to us and bless us</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and make his face to shine upon us,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">that your way may be known upon earth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your saving power among all nations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the peoples praise you, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let all the peoples praise you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for you judge the peoples with equity</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and guide the nations upon earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the peoples praise you, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let all the peoples praise you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The earth has yielded its increase;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>God, our God, has blessed us.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May God continue to bless us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let all the ends of the earth revere him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 19, 46</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 19</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The heavens are telling the glory of God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the firmament* proclaims his handiwork.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Day to day pours forth speech,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and night to night declares knowledge.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is no speech, nor are there words;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>their voice is not heard;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">yet their voice* goes out through all the earth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their words to the end of the world.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the heavens* he has set a tent for the sun,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and like a strong man runs its course with joy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Its rising is from the end of the heavens,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and its circuit to the end of them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and nothing is hidden from its heat.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The law of the Lord is perfect,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>reviving the soul;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the decrees of the Lord are sure,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>making wise the simple;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the precepts of the Lord are right,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>rejoicing the heart;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the commandment of the Lord is clear,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>enlightening the eyes;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the fear of the Lord is pure,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>enduring for ever;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the ordinances of the Lord are true</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and righteous altogether.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">More to be desired are they than gold,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>even much fine gold;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">sweeter also than honey,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and drippings of the honeycomb.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moreover by them is your servant warned;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in keeping them there is great reward.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But who can detect their errors?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Clear me from hidden faults.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Keep back your servant also from the insolent;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not let them have dominion over me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I shall be blameless,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and innocent of great transgression.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>be acceptable to you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 46</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is our refuge and strength,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a very present* help in trouble.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">though its waters roar and foam,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>though the mountains tremble with its tumult.</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">There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the holy habitation of the Most High.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is in the midst of the city;* it shall not be moved;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>God will help it when the morning dawns.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he utters his voice, the earth melts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord of hosts is with us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the God of Jacob is our refuge.*</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">Come, behold the works of the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>see what desolations he has brought on the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he burns the shields with fire.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Be still, and know that I am God!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am exalted among the nations,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am exalted in the earth.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord of hosts is with us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the God of Jacob is our refuge.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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