Friday 23 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>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ezra 3:1-13<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the seventh month came, and the Israelites were in the towns, the people gathered together in Jerusalem. Then Jeshua son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel with his kin set out to build the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt-offerings on it, as prescribed in the law of Moses the man of God. They set up the altar on its foundation, because they were in dread of the neighbouring peoples, and they offered burnt-offerings upon it to the Lord, morning and evening. And they kept the festival of booths,* as prescribed, and offered the daily burnt-offerings by number according to the ordinance, as required for each day, and after that the regular burnt-offerings, the offerings at the new moon and at all the sacred festivals of the Lord, and the offerings of everyone who made a freewill-offering to the Lord. From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt-offerings to the Lord. But the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid. So they gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the Sidonians and the Tyrians to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the grant that they had from King Cyrus of Persia.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the second year after their arrival at the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak made a beginning, together with the rest of their people, the priests and the Levites and all who had come to Jerusalem from the captivity. They appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upwards, to have the oversight of the work on the house of the Lord. And Jeshua with his sons and his kin, and Kadmiel and his sons, Binnui and Hodaviah* along with the sons of Henadad, the Levites, their sons and kin, together took charge of the workers in the house of God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments were stationed to praise the Lord with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, according to the directions of King David of Israel; and they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘For he is good,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for his steadfast love endures for ever towards Israel.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of families, old people who had seen the first house on its foundations, wept with a loud voice when they saw this house, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted so loudly that the sound was heard far away.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1 Corinthians 16:10-24</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord just as I am; therefore let no one despise him. Send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I am expecting him with the brothers.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but he was not at all willing* to come now. He will come when he has the opportunity.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now, brothers and sisters,* you know that members of the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; I urge you to put yourselves at the service of such people, and of everyone who works and toils with them. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence; for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. So give recognition to such people.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, greet you warmly in the Lord. All the brothers and sisters* send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Let anyone be accursed who has no love for the Lord. Our Lord, come!* The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 12:22-32</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then they brought to him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see. All the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Can this be the Son of David?’ But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, ‘It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that this fellow casts out the demons.’ He knew what they were thinking and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists* cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 31</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 31</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not let me ever be put to shame;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in your righteousness deliver me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Incline your ear to me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>rescue me speedily.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be a rock of refuge for me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a strong fortress to save me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are indeed my rock and my fortress;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">take me out of the net that is hidden for me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for you are my refuge.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Into your hand I commit my spirit;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You hate* those who pay regard to worthless idols,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but I trust in the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because you have seen my affliction;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have taken heed of my adversities,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have set my feet in a broad place.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my eye wastes away from grief,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my soul and body also.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For my life is spent with sorrow,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my years with sighing;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my strength fails because of my misery,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my bones waste away.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am the scorn of all my adversaries,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a horror* to my neighbours,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">an object of dread to my acquaintances;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>those who see me in the street flee from me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have become like a broken vessel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For I hear the whispering of many—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>terror all around!—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">as they scheme together against me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as they plot to take my life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But I trust in you, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I say, ‘You are my God.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My times are in your hand;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let your face shine upon your servant;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>save me in your steadfast love.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not let me be put to shame, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for I call on you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">let the wicked be put to shame;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the lying lips be stilled</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that speak insolently against the righteous</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with pride and contempt.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O how abundant is your goodness</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that you have laid up for those who fear you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and accomplished for those who take refuge in you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the sight of everyone!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the shelter of your presence you hide them</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from human plots;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">you hold them safe under your shelter</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from contentious tongues.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Blessed be the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when I was beset as a city under siege.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I had said in my alarm,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘I am driven far* from your sight.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But you heard my supplications</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when I cried out to you for help.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Love the Lord, all you his saints.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Lord preserves the faithful,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be strong, and let your heart take courage,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all you who wait for the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 35</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 35</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>fight against those who fight against me!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Take hold of shield and buckler,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and rise up to help me!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Draw the spear and javelin</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>against my pursuers;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">say to my soul,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘I am your salvation.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let them be put to shame and dishonour</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who seek after my life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let them be turned back and confounded</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who devise evil against me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let them be like chaff before the wind,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with the angel of the Lord driving them on.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let their way be dark and slippery,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For without cause they hid their net* for me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>without cause they dug a pit* for my life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let ruin come on them unawares.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And let the net that they hid ensnare them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let them fall in it—to their ruin.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then my soul shall rejoice in the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>exulting in his deliverance.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All my bones shall say,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘O Lord, who is like you?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You deliver the weak</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from those too strong for them,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the weak and needy from those who despoil them.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Malicious witnesses rise up;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they ask me about things I do not know.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They repay me evil for good;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my soul is forlorn.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But as for me, when they were sick,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wore sackcloth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I afflicted myself with fasting.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I prayed with head bowed* on my bosom,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as though I grieved for a friend or a brother;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I went about as one who laments for a mother,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>bowed down and in mourning.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But at my stumbling they gathered in glee,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they gathered together against me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">ruffians whom I did not know</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>tore at me without ceasing;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">they impiously mocked more and more,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>gnashing at me with their teeth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How long, O Lord, will you look on?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Rescue me from their ravages,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my life from the lions!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I will thank you in the great congregation;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the mighty throng I will praise you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not let my treacherous enemies rejoice over me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or those who hate me without cause wink the eye.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For they do not speak peace,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but they conceive deceitful words</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>against those who are quiet in the land.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They open wide their mouths against me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they say, ‘Aha, Aha,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>our eyes have seen it.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have seen, O Lord; do not be silent!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O Lord, do not be far from me!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wake up! Bestir yourself for my defence,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for my cause, my God and my Lord!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Vindicate me, O Lord, my God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>according to your righteousness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and do not let them rejoice over me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not let them say to themselves,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Aha, we have our heart’s desire.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not let them say, ‘We have swallowed you* up.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let all those who rejoice at my calamity</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>be put to shame and confusion;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">let those who exalt themselves against me</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>be clothed with shame and dishonour.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let those who desire my vindication</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>shout for joy and be glad,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and say evermore,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Great is the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who delights in the welfare of his servant.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and of your praise all day long.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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