Wednesday 13 January 2010<!--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">Genesis 4:1-16<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Now the man knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, ‘I have produced* a man with the help of the Lord.’ Next she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a tiller of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. The Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let us go out to the field.’* And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ He said, ‘I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?’ And the Lord said, ‘What have you done? Listen; your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground! And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it will no longer yield to you its strength; you will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.’ Cain said to the Lord, ‘My punishment is greater than I can bear! Today you have driven me away from the soil, and I shall be hidden from your face; I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and anyone who meets me may kill me.’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Not so!* Whoever kills Cain will suffer a sevenfold vengeance.’ And the Lord put a mark on Cain, so that no one who came upon him would kill him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod,* east of Eden.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Hebrews 2:11-18</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.* For this reason Jesus* is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,* saying,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And again,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘I will put my trust in him.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And again,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Here am I and the children whom God has given me.’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters* in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">John 1:29-42</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed*). He brought Simon* to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter*).<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 119:1-24</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 119:1-24</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are those whose way is blameless,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who walk in the law of the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are those who keep his decrees,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who seek him with their whole heart,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who also do no wrong,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but walk in his ways.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have commanded your precepts</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to be kept diligently.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O that my ways may be steadfast</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in keeping your statutes!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I shall not be put to shame,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will praise you with an upright heart,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when I learn your righteous ordinances.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will observe your statutes;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not utterly forsake me.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">How can young people keep their way pure?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By guarding it according to your word.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With my whole heart I seek you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not let me stray from your commandments.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I treasure your word in my heart,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that I may not sin against you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Blessed are you, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>teach me your statutes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With my lips I declare</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all the ordinances of your mouth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I delight in the way of your decrees</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as much as in all riches.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will meditate on your precepts,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and fix my eyes on your ways.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will delight in your statutes;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will not forget your word.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Deal bountifully with your servant,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that I may live and observe your word.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Open my eyes, so that I may behold</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>wondrous things out of your law.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I live as an alien in the land;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not hide your commandments from me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My soul is consumed with longing</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for your ordinances at all times.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who wander from your commandments;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">take away from me their scorn and contempt,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for I have kept your decrees.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Even though princes sit plotting against me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your servant will meditate on your statutes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your decrees are my delight,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they are my counsellors.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 12, 13, 14</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 12</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Help, O Lord, for there is no longer anyone who is godly;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the faithful have disappeared from humankind.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They utter lies to each other;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the tongue that makes great boasts,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">those who say, ‘With our tongues we will prevail;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>our lips are our own—who is our master?’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">‘Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will now rise up,’ says the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘I will place them in the safety for which they long.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>silver refined in a furnace on the ground,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>purified seven times.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">You, O Lord, will protect us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you will guard us from this generation for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On every side the wicked prowl,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as vileness is exalted among humankind.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 13</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">How long, O Lord? Will you forget me for ever?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How long will you hide your face from me?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How long must I bear pain* in my soul,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and have sorrow in my heart all day long?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Consider and answer me, O Lord my God!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and my enemy will say, ‘I have prevailed’;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">But I trusted in your steadfast love;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will sing to the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because he has dealt bountifully with me.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 14</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>there is no one who does good.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to see if there are any who are wise,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who seek after God.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>there is no one who does good,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>no, not one.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who eat up my people as they eat bread,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and do not call upon the Lord?</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">There they shall be in great terror,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for God is with the company of the righteous.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You would confound the plans of the poor,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but the Lord is their refuge.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.</p>
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