Saturday 17 October 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">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2 Kings 25:8-12,22-26<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">In the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month—which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon—Nebuzaradan, the captain of the bodyguard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. He burned the house of the Lord, the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down. All the army of the Chaldeans who were with the captain of the guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem. Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried into exile the rest of the people who were left in the city and the deserters who had defected to the king of Babylon—all the rest of the population. But the captain of the guard left some of the poorest people of the land to be vine-dressers and tillers of the soil.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan as governor over the people who remained in the land of Judah, whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had left. Now when all the captains of the forces and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, they came with their men to Gedaliah at Mizpah, namely, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite. Gedaliah swore to them and their men, saying, ‘Do not be afraid because of the Chaldean officials; live in the land, serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.’ But in the seventh month, Ishmael son of Nethaniah son of Elishama, of the royal family, came with ten men; they struck down Gedaliah so that he died, along with the Judeans and Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah. Then all the people, high and low,* and the captains of the forces, set out and went to Egypt; for they were afraid of the Chaldeans.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">1 Corinthians 15:12-29</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ—whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died* in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.* For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end,* when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For ‘God* has put all things in subjection under his feet.’ But when it says, ‘All things are put in subjection’, it is plain that this does not include the one who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Otherwise, what will those people do who receive baptism on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 11:7-15</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone* dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet?* Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who will prepare your way before you.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,* and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone with ears* listen!</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 20, 21</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 20</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord answer you in the day of trouble!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The name of the God of Jacob protect you!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May he send you help from the sanctuary,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and give you support from Zion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May he remember all your offerings,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and regard with favour your burnt sacrifices.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">May he grant you your heart’s desire,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and fulfil all your plans.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May we shout for joy over your victory,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and in the name of our God set up our banners.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May the Lord fulfil all your petitions.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he will answer him from his holy heaven</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with mighty victories by his right hand.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They will collapse and fall,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but we shall rise and stand upright.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Give victory to the king, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>answer us when we call.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 21</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">In your strength the king rejoices, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and in your help how greatly he exults!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have given him his heart’s desire,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and have not withheld the request of his lips.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you meet him with rich blessings;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you set a crown of fine gold on his head.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He asked you for life; you gave it to him—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>length of days for ever and ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His glory is great through your help;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>splendour and majesty you bestow on him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You bestow on him blessings for ever;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you make him glad with the joy of your presence.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the king trusts in the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Your hand will find out all your enemies;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your right hand will find out those who hate you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You will make them like a fiery furnace</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when you appear.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and fire will consume them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You will destroy their offspring from the earth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their children from among humankind.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If they plan evil against you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>if they devise mischief, they will not succeed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you will put them to flight;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you will aim at their faces with your bows.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We will sing and praise your power.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 110, 116, 117</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 110</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord says to my lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Sit at my right hand</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">until I make your enemies your footstool.’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord sends out from Zion</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your mighty sceptre.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Rule in the midst of your foes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your people will offer themselves willingly</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>on the day you lead your forces</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>on the holy mountains.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From the womb of the morning,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>like dew, your youth* will come to you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘You are a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.’*</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is at your right hand;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will execute judgement among the nations,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>filling them with corpses;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he will shatter heads</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>over the wide earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will drink from the stream by the path;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>therefore he will lift up his head.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 116</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I love the Lord, because he has heard</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my voice and my supplications.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because he inclined his ear to me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>therefore I will call on him as long as I live.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The snares of death encompassed me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I suffered distress and anguish.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I called on the name of the Lord:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘O Lord, I pray, save my life!’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>our God is merciful.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord protects the simple;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when I was brought low, he saved me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Return, O my soul, to your rest,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you have delivered my soul from death,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my eyes from tears,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my feet from stumbling.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I walk before the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the land of the living.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I kept my faith, even when I said,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘I am greatly afflicted’;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I said in my consternation,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Everyone is a liar.’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What shall I return to the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for all his bounty to me?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will lift up the cup of salvation</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and call on the name of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will pay my vows to the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the presence of all his people.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Precious in the sight of the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>is the death of his faithful ones.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, I am your servant;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am your servant, the child of your serving-maid.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You have loosed my bonds.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and call on the name of the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will pay my vows to the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the presence of all his people,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">in the courts of the house of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in your midst, O Jerusalem.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Praise the Lord!</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 117</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Praise the Lord, all you nations!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Extol him, all you peoples!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For great is his steadfast love towards us,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Praise the Lord!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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