Tuesday 29 September 2009<!--StartFragment-->
<p class="MsoNormal">DAILY LECTIONARY</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Email Evangelism, forward to a friend: http://www.dailylectionary.org</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">2 Chronicles 29:1-3,30:1-27<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old; he reigned for twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, just as his ancestor David had done.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, to keep the passover to the Lord the God of Israel. For the king and his officials and all the assembly in Jerusalem had taken counsel to keep the passover in the second month for they could not keep it at its proper time because the priests had not sanctified themselves in sufficient number, nor had the people assembled in Jerusalem. The plan seemed right to the king and all the assembly. So they decreed the making of a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba to Dan, that the people should come and keep the passover to the Lord the God of Israel, at Jerusalem; for they had not kept it in great numbers as prescribed. So couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with letters from the king and his officials, as the king had commanded, saying, ‘O people of Israel, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so that he may turn again to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria. Do not be like your ancestors and your kindred, who were faithless to the Lord God of their ancestors, so that he made them a desolation, as you see. Do not now be stiff-necked as your ancestors were, but yield yourselves to the Lord and come to his sanctuary, which he has sanctified for ever, and serve the Lord your God, so that his fierce anger may turn away from you. For as you return to the Lord, your kindred and your children will find compassion with their captors, and return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So the couriers went from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far as Zebulun; but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them. Only a few from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the officials commanded by the word of the Lord.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Many people came together in Jerusalem to keep the festival of unleavened bread in the second month, a very large assembly. They set to work and removed the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for offering incense they took away and threw into the Wadi Kidron. They slaughtered the passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and the Levites were ashamed, and they sanctified themselves and brought burnt-offerings into the house of the Lord. They took their accustomed posts according to the law of Moses the man of God; the priests dashed the blood that they received* from the hands of the Levites. For there were many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves; therefore the Levites had to slaughter the passover lamb for everyone who was not clean, to make it holy to the Lord. For a multitude of the people, many of them from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the passover otherwise than as prescribed. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, ‘The good Lord pardon all who set their hearts to seek God, the Lord the God of their ancestors, even though not in accordance with the sanctuary’s rules of cleanness.’ The Lord heard Hezekiah, and healed the people. The people of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the festival of unleavened bread for seven days with great gladness; and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, accompanied by loud instruments for the Lord. Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good skill in the service of the Lord. So the people ate the food of the festival for seven days, sacrificing offerings of well-being and giving thanks to the Lord the God of their ancestors.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then the whole assembly agreed together to keep the festival for another seven days; so they kept it for another seven days with gladness. For King Hezekiah of Judah gave the assembly a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep for offerings, and the officials gave the assembly a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep. The priests sanctified themselves in great numbers. The whole assembly of Judah, the priests and the Levites, and the whole assembly that came out of Israel, and the resident aliens who came out of the land of Israel, and the resident aliens who lived in Judah, rejoiced. There was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon son of King David of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. Then the priests and the Levites stood up and blessed the people, and their voice was heard; their prayer came to his holy dwelling in heaven.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">1 Corinthians 7:32-40</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin are anxious about the affairs of the Lord, so that they may be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly towards his fiancée,* if his passions are strong, and so it has to be, let him marry as he wishes; it is no sin. Let them marry. But if someone stands firm in his resolve, being under no necessity but having his own desire under control, and has determined in his own mind to keep her as his fiancée,* he will do well. So then, he who marries his fiancée* does well; and he who refrains from marriage will do better.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A wife is bound as long as her husband lives. But if the husband dies,* she is free to marry anyone she wishes, only in the Lord. But in my judgement she is more blessed if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 7:1-12</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgement you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s* eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour,* “Let me take the speck out of your eye”, while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s* eye.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 97, 99</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 97</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the many coastlands be glad!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fire goes before him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and consumes his adversaries on every side.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His lightnings light up the world;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the earth sees and trembles.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>before the Lord of all the earth.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The heavens proclaim his righteousness;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all the peoples behold his glory.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All worshippers of images are put to shame,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>those who make their boast in worthless idols;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all gods bow down before him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Zion hears and is glad,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the towns* of Judah rejoice,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because of your judgements, O God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you are exalted far above all gods.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord loves those who hate* evil;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he guards the lives of his faithful;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Light dawns* for the righteous,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and joy for the upright in heart.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and give thanks to his holy name!</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 99</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is king; let the peoples tremble!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is great in Zion;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he is exalted over all the peoples.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let them praise your great and awesome name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Holy is he!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mighty King,* lover of justice,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have established equity;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">you have executed justice</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and righteousness in Jacob.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Extol the Lord our God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>worship at his footstool.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Holy is he!</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Moses and Aaron were among his priests,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Samuel also was among those who called on his name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They cried to the Lord, and he answered them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they kept his decrees,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the statutes that he gave them.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord our God, you answered them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you were a forgiving God to them,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but an avenger of their wrongdoings.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Extol the Lord our God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and worship at his holy mountain;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for the Lord our God is holy.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 94</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 94</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, you God of vengeance,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you God of vengeance, shine forth!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rise up, O judge of the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give to the proud what they deserve!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, how long shall the wicked,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>how long shall the wicked exult?</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">They pour out their arrogant words;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all the evildoers boast.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They crush your people, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and afflict your heritage.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They kill the widow and the stranger,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they murder the orphan,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and they say, ‘The Lord does not see;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the God of Jacob does not perceive.’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Understand, O dullest of the people;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>fools, when will you be wise?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He who planted the ear, does he not hear?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He who formed the eye, does he not see?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He who disciplines the nations,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he who teaches knowledge to humankind,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>does he not chastise?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord knows our thoughts,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that they are but an empty breath.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are those whom you discipline, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and whom you teach out of your law,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">giving them respite from days of trouble,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>until a pit is dug for the wicked.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the Lord will not forsake his people;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he will not abandon his heritage;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for justice will return to the righteous,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all the upright in heart will follow it.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Who rises up for me against the wicked?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Who stands up for me against evildoers?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If the Lord had not been my help,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I thought, ‘My foot is slipping’,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the cares of my heart are many,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your consolations cheer my soul.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Can wicked rulers be allied with you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>those who contrive mischief by statute?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They band together against the life of the righteous,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and condemn the innocent to death.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But the Lord has become my stronghold,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my God the rock of my refuge.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will repay them for their iniquity</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and wipe them out for their wickedness;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord our God will wipe them out.</p>
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