Monday 12 October 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>
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<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jeremiah 36:11-26<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">When Micaiah son of Gemariah son of Shaphan heard all the words of the Lord from the scroll, he went down to the king’s house, into the secretary’s chamber; and all the officials were sitting there: Elishama the secretary, Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan son of Achbor, Gemariah son of Shaphan, Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the officials. And Micaiah told them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the scroll in the hearing of the people. Then all the officials sent Jehudi son of Nethaniah son of Shelemiah son of Cushi to say to Baruch, ‘Bring the scroll that you read in the hearing of the people, and come.’ So Baruch son of Neriah took the scroll in his hand and came to them. And they said to him, ‘Sit down and read it to us.’ So Baruch read it to them. When they heard all the words, they turned to one another in alarm, and said to Baruch, ‘We certainly must report all these words to the king.’ Then they questioned Baruch, ‘Tell us now, how did you write all these words? Was it at his dictation?’ Baruch answered them, ‘He dictated all these words to me, and I wrote them with ink on the scroll.’ Then the officials said to Baruch, ‘Go and hide, you and Jeremiah, and let no one know where you are.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Leaving the scroll in the chamber of Elishama the secretary, they went to the court of the king; and they reported all the words to the king. Then the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he took it from the chamber of Elishama the secretary; and Jehudi read it to the king and all the officials who stood beside the king. Now the king was sitting in his winter apartment (it was the ninth month), and there was a fire burning in the brazier before him. As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king* would cut them off with a penknife and throw them into the fire in the brazier, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier. Yet neither the king, nor any of his servants who heard all these words, was alarmed, nor did they tear their garments. Even when Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them. And the king commanded Jerahmeel the king’s son and Seraiah son of Azriel and Shelemiah son of Abdeel to arrest the secretary Baruch and the prophet Jeremiah. But the Lord hid them.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">1 Corinthians 13:1-13</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast,* but do not have love, I gain nothing.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly,* but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 10:5-15</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.”* Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers,* cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for labourers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement than for that town.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 1, 2, 3</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 1</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are those</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who do not follow the advice of the wicked,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">or take the path that sinners tread,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or sit in the seat of scoffers;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">but their delight is in the law of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and on his law they meditate day and night.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They are like trees</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>planted by streams of water,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">which yield their fruit in its season,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their leaves do not wither.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In all that they do, they prosper.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The wicked are not so,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but are like chaff that the wind drives away.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but the way of the wicked will perish.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 2</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Why do the nations conspire,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the peoples plot in vain?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The kings of the earth set themselves,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the rulers take counsel together,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>against the Lord and his anointed, saying,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Let us burst their bonds asunder,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and cast their cords from us.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He who sits in the heavens laughs;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord has them in derision.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then he will speak to them in his wrath,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and terrify them in his fury, saying,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will tell of the decree of the Lord:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He said to me, ‘You are my son;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>today I have begotten you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the ends of the earth your possession.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You shall break them with a rod of iron,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now therefore, O kings, be wise;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>be warned, O rulers of the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Serve the Lord with fear,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with trembling kiss his feet,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for his wrath is quickly kindled.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are all who take refuge in him.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 3</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, how many are my foes!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Many are rising against me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">many are saying to me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘There is no help for you* in God.’</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">But you, O Lord, are a shield around me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I cry aloud to the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and he answers me from his holy hill.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span><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">I lie down and sleep;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wake again, for the Lord sustains me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am not afraid of tens of thousands of people</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who have set themselves against me all around.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rise up, O Lord!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Deliver me, O my God!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you break the teeth of the wicked.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Deliverance belongs to the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>may your blessing be on your people!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 4, 7</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 4</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Answer me when I call, O God of my right!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You gave me room when I was in distress.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How long, you people, shall my honour suffer shame?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord hears when I call to him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When you are disturbed,* do not sin;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>ponder it on your beds, and be silent.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Offer right sacrifices,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and put your trust in the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are many who say, ‘O that we might see some good!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have put gladness in my heart</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>more than when their grain and wine abound.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will both lie down and sleep in peace;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 7</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord my God, in you I take refuge;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>save me from all my pursuers, and deliver me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">or like a lion they will tear me apart;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they will drag me away, with no one to rescue.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord my God, if I have done this,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>if there is wrong in my hands,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">if I have repaid my ally with harm</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or plundered my foe without cause,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">then let the enemy pursue and overtake me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>trample my life to the ground,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and lay my soul in the dust.</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">Rise up, O Lord, in your anger;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>awake, O my God;* you have appointed a judgement.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered around you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and over it take your seat* on high.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord judges the peoples;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and according to the integrity that is in me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O let the evil of the wicked come to an end,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but establish the righteous,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">you who test the minds and hearts,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O righteous God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is my shield,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who saves the upright in heart.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is a righteous judge,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and a God who has indignation every day.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If one does not repent, God* will whet his sword;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he has bent and strung his bow;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he has prepared his deadly weapons,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>making his arrows fiery shafts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">See how they conceive evil,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and are pregnant with mischief,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and bring forth lies.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They make a pit, digging it out,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and fall into the hole that they have made.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Their mischief returns upon their own heads,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and on their own heads their violence descends.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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