Sunday 7 November 2010<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><!--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">Ecclesiasticus 51:13-22<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">While I was still young, before I went on my travels,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Before the temple I asked for her,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I will search for her until the end.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">From the first blossom to the ripening grape</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my heart delighted in her;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my foot walked on the straight path;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from my youth I followed her steps.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I inclined my ear a little and received her,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I found for myself much instruction.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I made progress in her;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to him who gives wisdom I will give glory.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">For I resolved to live according to wisdom,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I was zealous for the good,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I shall never be disappointed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My soul grappled with wisdom,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and in my conduct I was strict;*</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I spread out my hands to the heavens,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and lamented my ignorance of her.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I directed my soul to her,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and in purity I found her.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">With her I gained understanding from the first;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>therefore I will never be forsaken.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My heart was stirred to seek her;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>therefore I have gained a prize possession.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord gave me my tongue as a reward,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I will praise him with it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1 Corinthians 14:1-12</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people but to God; for nobody understands them, since they are speaking mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, those who prophesy speak to other people for their building up and encouragement and consolation. Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves, but those who prophesy build up the church. Now I would like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now, brothers and sisters,* if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you in some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? It is the same way with lifeless instruments that produce sound, such as the flute or the harp. If they do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is being played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? So with yourselves; if in a tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtless many different kinds of sounds in the world, and nothing is without sound. If then I do not know the meaning of a sound, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. So with yourselves; since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in them for building up the church.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 20:1-16</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage,* he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage.* Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage.* And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?* Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?”* So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 93, 96</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 93</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is king, he is robed in majesty;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord is robed, he is girded with strength.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He has established the world; it shall never be moved;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your throne is established from of old;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you are from everlasting.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The floods have lifted up, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the floods have lifted up their voice;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the floods lift up their roaring.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>more majestic than the waves* of the sea,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>majestic on high is the Lord!</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Your decrees are very sure;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>holiness befits your house,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O Lord, for evermore.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 96</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">O sing to the Lord a new song;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>sing to the Lord, all the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sing to the Lord, bless his name;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>tell of his salvation from day to day.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Declare his glory among the nations,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>his marvellous works among all the peoples.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he is to be revered above all gods.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For all the gods of the peoples are idols,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but the Lord made the heavens.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Honour and majesty are before him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>bring an offering, and come into his courts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Worship the Lord in holy splendour;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>tremble before him, all the earth.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Say among the nations, ‘The Lord is king!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He will judge the peoples with equity.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the sea roar, and all that fills it;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the field exult, and everything in it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>before the Lord; for he is coming,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for he is coming to judge the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will judge the world with righteousness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the peoples with his truth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 34</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 34</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I will bless the Lord at all times;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>his praise shall continually be in my mouth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My soul makes its boast in the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the humble hear and be glad.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O magnify the Lord with me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and let us exalt his name together.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I sought the Lord, and he answered me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and delivered me from all my fears.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Look to him, and be radiant;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so your* faces shall never be ashamed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and was saved from every trouble.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The angel of the Lord encamps</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>around those who fear him, and delivers them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O taste and see that the Lord is good;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>happy are those who take refuge in him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O fear the Lord, you his holy ones,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for those who fear him have no want.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The young lions suffer want and hunger,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Come, O children, listen to me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will teach you the fear of the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Which of you desires life,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and covets many days to enjoy good?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Keep your tongue from evil,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and your lips from speaking deceit.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Depart from evil, and do good;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>seek peace, and pursue it.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his ears are open to their cry.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The face of the Lord is against evildoers,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and rescues them from all their troubles.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and saves the crushed in spirit.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Many are the afflictions of the righteous,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but the Lord rescues them from them all.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He keeps all their bones;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>not one of them will be broken.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evil brings death to the wicked,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord redeems the life of his servants;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
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