Wednesday 30 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 Kings 18:9-25<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">In the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of King Hoshea son of Elah of Israel, King Shalmaneser of Assyria came up against Samaria, besieged it, and at the end of three years took it. In the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of King Hoshea of Israel, Samaria was taken. The king of Assyria carried the Israelites away to Assyria, settled them in Halah, on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord their God but transgressed his covenant—all that Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded; they neither listened nor obeyed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, King Sennacherib of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. King Hezekiah of Judah sent to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, ‘I have done wrong; withdraw from me; whatever you impose on me I will bear.’ The king of Assyria demanded of King Hezekiah of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the Lord and in the treasuries of the king’s house. At that time Hezekiah stripped the gold from the doors of the temple of the Lord, and from the doorposts that King Hezekiah of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria. The king of Assyria sent the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh with a great army from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They went up and came to Jerusalem. When they arrived, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is on the highway to the Fuller’s Field. When they called for the king, there came out to them Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, and Shebnah the secretary, and Joah son of Asaph, the recorder.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Rabshakeh said to them, ‘Say to Hezekiah: Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: On what do you base this confidence of yours? Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? On whom do you now rely, that you have rebelled against me? See, you are relying now on Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who rely on him. But if you say to me, “We rely on the Lord our God”, is it not he whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and to Jerusalem, “You shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem”? Come now, make a wager with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them. How then can you repulse a single captain among the least of my master’s servants, when you rely on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? Moreover, is it without the Lord that I have come up against this place to destroy it? The Lord said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">1 Corinthians 8:1-13</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that ‘no idol in the world really exists’, and that ‘there is no God but one.’ Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. ‘Food will not bring us close to God.’* We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling-block to the weak. For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed.* But when you thus sin against members of your family,* and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling,* I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them* to fall.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 7:13-21</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy* that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 101, 109</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 101</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I will sing of loyalty and of justice;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to you, O Lord, I will sing.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will study the way that is blameless.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When shall I attain it?</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I will walk with integrity of heart</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>within my house;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will not set before my eyes</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>anything that is base.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I hate the work of those who fall away;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>it shall not cling to me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Perverseness of heart shall be far from me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will know nothing of evil.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">One who secretly slanders a neighbour</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will destroy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A haughty look and an arrogant heart</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will not tolerate.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I will look with favour on the faithful in the land,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that they may live with me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">whoever walks in the way that is blameless</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>shall minister to me.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">No one who practises deceit</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>shall remain in my house;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">no one who utters lies</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>shall continue in my presence.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning by morning I will destroy</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all the wicked in the land,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">cutting off all evildoers</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from the city of the Lord.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 109</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Do not be silent, O God of my praise.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>speaking against me with lying tongues.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They beset me with words of hate,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and attack me without cause.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In return for my love they accuse me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>even while I make prayer for them.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So they reward me evil for good,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and hatred for my love.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">They say,* ‘Appoint a wicked man against him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let an accuser stand on his right.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When he is tried, let him be found guilty;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let his prayer be counted as sin.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May his days be few;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>may another seize his position.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May his children be orphans,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his wife a widow.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May his children wander about and beg;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>may they be driven out of* the ruins they inhabit.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May the creditor seize all that he has;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May there be no one to do him a kindness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nor anyone to pity his orphaned children.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May his posterity be cut off;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>may his name be blotted out in the second generation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May the iniquity of his father* be remembered before the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and do not let the sin of his mother be blotted out.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let them be before the Lord continually,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and may his* memory be cut off from the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For he did not remember to show kindness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but pursued the poor and needy</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the broken-hearted to their death.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He loved to curse; let curses come on him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He did not like blessing; may it be far from him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He clothed himself with cursing as his coat,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>may it soak into his body like water,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>like oil into his bones.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May it be like a garment that he wraps around himself,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>like a belt that he wears every day.’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">May that be the reward of my accusers from the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>of those who speak evil against my life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But you, O Lord my Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>act on my behalf for your name’s sake;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because your steadfast love is good, deliver me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For I am poor and needy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my heart is pierced within me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am gone like a shadow at evening;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am shaken off like a locust.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My knees are weak through fasting;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my body has become gaunt.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am an object of scorn to my accusers;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when they see me, they shake their heads.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Help me, O Lord my God!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Save me according to your steadfast love.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let them know that this is your hand;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you, O Lord, have done it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let them curse, but you will bless.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Let my assailants be put to shame;* may your servant be glad.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May my accusers be clothed with dishonour;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a mantle.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will praise him in the midst of the throng.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For he stands at the right hand of the needy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to save them from those who would condemn them to death.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 119:121-144</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 119:121-144</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I have done what is just and right;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not leave me to my oppressors.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Guarantee your servant’s well-being;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not let the godless oppress me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My eyes fail from watching for your salvation,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and for the fulfilment of your righteous promise.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and teach me your statutes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am your servant; give me understanding,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that I may know your decrees.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is time for the Lord to act,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for your law has been broken.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Truly I love your commandments</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>more than gold, more than fine gold.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Truly I direct my steps by all your precepts;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I hate every false way.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Your decrees are wonderful;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>therefore my soul keeps them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The unfolding of your words gives light;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>it imparts understanding to the simple.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With open mouth I pant,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because I long for your commandments.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Turn to me and be gracious to me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as is your custom towards those who love your name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Keep my steps steady according to your promise,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and never let iniquity have dominion over me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Redeem me from human oppression,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that I may keep your precepts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Make your face shine upon your servant,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and teach me your statutes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My eyes shed streams of tears</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because your law is not kept.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">You are righteous, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and your judgements are right.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have appointed your decrees in righteousness</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and in all faithfulness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My zeal consumes me</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because my foes forget your words.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your promise is well tried,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and your servant loves it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am small and despised,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>yet I do not forget your precepts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and your law is the truth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Trouble and anguish have come upon me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but your commandments are my delight.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your decrees are righteous for ever;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give me understanding that I may live.</p>
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