Tuesday 6 July 2010<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><!--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">Numbers 35:1-3,9-15,30-34<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">In the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Command the Israelites to give, from the inheritance that they possess, towns for the Levites to live in; you shall also give to the Levites pasture lands surrounding the towns. The towns shall be theirs to live in, and their pasture lands shall be for their cattle, for their livestock, and for all their animals.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the Israelites, and say to them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, so that a slayer who kills a person without intent may flee there. The cities shall be for you a refuge from the avenger, so that the slayer may not die until there is a trial before the congregation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The cities that you designate shall be six cities of refuge for you: you shall designate three cities beyond the Jordan, and three cities in the land of Canaan, to be cities of refuge. These six cities shall serve as refuge for the Israelites, for the resident or transient alien among them, so that anyone who kills a person without intent may flee there.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If anyone kills another, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses; but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of a single witness. Moreover, you shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer who is subject to the death penalty; a murderer must be put to death. Nor shall you accept ransom for one who has fled to a city of refuge, enabling the fugitive to return to live in the land before the death of the high priest. You shall not pollute the land in which you live; for blood pollutes the land, and no expiation can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it. You shall not defile the land in which you live, in which I also dwell; for I the Lord dwell among the Israelites.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Romans 8:31-39</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.* Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘For your sake we are being killed all day long;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. ******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 23:13-26</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them.* Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make the new convert twice as much a child of hell* as yourselves.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Woe to you, blind guides, who say, “Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.” You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? And you say, “Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.” How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it; and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practised without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup,* so that the outside also may become clean.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 5, 6</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 5</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Give ear to my words, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give heed to my sighing.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Listen to the sound of my cry,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my King and my God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for to you I pray.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>evil will not sojourn with you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The boastful will not stand before your eyes;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you hate all evildoers.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You destroy those who speak lies;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>will enter your house,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will bow down towards your holy temple</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in awe of you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because of my enemies;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>make your way straight before me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For there is no truth in their mouths;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>their hearts are destruction;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">their throats are open graves;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they flatter with their tongues.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Make them bear their guilt, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let them fall by their own counsels;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">because of their many transgressions cast them out,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for they have rebelled against you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let them ever sing for joy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Spread your protection over them,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that those who love your name may exult in you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you bless the righteous, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you cover them with favour as with a shield.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 6</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or discipline me in your wrath.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O Lord, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My soul also is struck with terror,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>while you, O Lord—how long?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Turn, O Lord, save my life;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>deliver me for the sake of your steadfast love.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For in death there is no remembrance of you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in Sheol who can give you praise?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am weary with my moaning;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>every night I flood my bed with tears;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I drench my couch with my weeping.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My eyes waste away because of grief;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they grow weak because of all my foes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Depart from me, all you workers of evil,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord has heard my supplication;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord accepts my prayer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All my enemies shall be ashamed and struck with terror;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they shall turn back, and in a moment be put to shame.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 10, 11</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 10</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why, O Lord, do you stand far off?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In arrogance the wicked persecute the poor—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let them be caught in the schemes they have devised.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the wicked boast of the desires of their heart,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>those greedy for gain curse and renounce the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the pride of their countenance the wicked say, ‘God will not seek it out’;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all their thoughts are, ‘There is no God.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Their ways prosper at all times;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your judgements are on high, out of their sight;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as for their foes, they scoff at them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They think in their heart, ‘We shall not be moved;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>throughout all generations we shall not meet adversity.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Their mouths are filled with cursing and deceit and oppression;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>under their tongues are mischief and iniquity.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They sit in ambush in the villages;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in hiding-places they murder the innocent.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Their eyes stealthily watch for the helpless;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they lurk in secret like a lion in its covert;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">they lurk that they may seize the poor;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they seize the poor and drag them off in their net.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They stoop, they crouch,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the helpless fall by their might.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They think in their heart, ‘God has forgotten,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he has hidden his face, he will never see it.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rise up, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not forget the oppressed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why do the wicked renounce God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and say in their hearts, ‘You will not call us to account’?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But you do see! Indeed you note trouble and grief,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that you may take it into your hands;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the helpless commit themselves to you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have been the helper of the orphan.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Break the arm of the wicked and evildoers;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>seek out their wickedness until you find none.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is king for ever and ever;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the nations shall perish from his land.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, you will hear the desire of the meek;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you will strengthen their heart, you will incline your ear</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to do justice for the orphan and the oppressed,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that those from earth may strike terror no more.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 11</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Flee like a bird to the mountains;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for look, the wicked bend the bow,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they have fitted their arrow to the string,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If the foundations are destroyed,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>what can the righteous do?’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is in his holy temple;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord’s throne is in heaven.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His eyes behold, his gaze examines humankind.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his soul hates the lover of violence.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the wicked he will rain coals of fire and sulphur;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the Lord is righteous;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he loves righteous deeds;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the upright shall behold his face.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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