Wednesday 18 November 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">1 Maccabees 3:42-60<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now Judas and his brothers saw that misfortunes had increased and that the forces were encamped in their territory. They also learned what the king had commanded to be done to the people to cause their final destruction. But they said to one another, ‘Let us restore the ruins of our people, and fight for our people and the sanctuary.’ So the congregation assembled to be ready for battle, and to pray and ask for mercy and compassion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jerusalem was uninhabited like a wilderness;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>not one of her children went in or out.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The sanctuary was trampled down,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and aliens held the citadel;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>it was a lodging-place for the Gentiles.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Joy was taken from Jacob;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the flute and the harp ceased to play.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then they gathered together and went to Mizpah, opposite Jerusalem, because Israel formerly had a place of prayer in Mizpah. They fasted that day, put on sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on their heads, and tore their clothes. And they opened the book of the law to inquire into those matters about which the Gentiles consulted the images of their gods. They also brought the vestments of the priesthood and the first fruits and the tithes, and they stirred up the nazirites* who had completed their days; and they cried aloud to Heaven, saying,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘What shall we do with these?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Where shall we take them?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your sanctuary is trampled down and profaned,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and your priests mourn in humiliation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here the Gentiles are assembled against us to destroy us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you know what they plot against us.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How will we be able to withstand them,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>if you do not help us?’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then they sounded the trumpets and gave a loud shout. After this Judas appointed leaders of the people, in charge of thousands and hundreds and fifties and tens. Those who were building houses, or were about to be married, or were planting a vineyard, or were faint-hearted, he told to go home again, in accordance with the law. Then the army marched out and encamped to the south of Emmaus.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And Judas said, ‘Arm yourselves and be courageous. Be ready early in the morning to fight with these Gentiles who have assembled against us to destroy us and our sanctuary. It is better for us to die in battle than to see the misfortunes of our nation and of the sanctuary. But as his will in heaven may be, so shall he do.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Revelation 21:9-21</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’ And in the spirit* he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It has the glory of God and a radiance like a very rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. It has a great, high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates are inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites; on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The angel* who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width; and he measured the city with his rod, fifteen hundred miles;* its length and width and height are equal. He also measured its wall, one hundred and forty-four cubits* by human measurement, which the angel was using. The wall is built of jasper, while the city is pure gold, clear as glass. The foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth cornelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each of the gates is a single pearl, and the street of the city is pure gold, transparent as glass.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 17:22-27</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As they were gathering* in Galilee, Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised.’ And they were greatly distressed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax* came to Peter and said, ‘Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?’* He said, ‘Yes, he does.’ And when he came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their children or from others?’ When Peter* said, ‘From others’, Jesus said to him, ‘Then the children are free. However, so that we do not give offence to them, go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin;* take that and give it to them for you and me.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 101, 109</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 101</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 109</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 119:121-144</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 119:121-144</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because your law is not kept.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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