This is the message we have heard from Christ:
that God is light, in whom there is
no darkness at all
1
1 John 1:5
Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
2 The Opening Canticle, A Song of God's Herald
Go up to a high mountain
herald of good tiding to Zion:
lift up your voice with strength,
herald of good tidings to Jerusalem.
Lift up your voice, fear not:
say to the cities of Judah, 'Behold your God!'
See the Lord God, coming with power:
coming to rule with his mighty arm.
He brings his reward for the people of God:
the recompense for those who are saved.
God will feed his flock like a shepherd:
and gather the lambs in his arms;
He will hold them to his breast:
and gently lead those that are with young.
herald of good tiding to Zion:
lift up your voice with strength,
herald of good tidings to Jerusalem.
Lift up your voice, fear not:
say to the cities of Judah, 'Behold your God!'
See the Lord God, coming with power:
coming to rule with his mighty arm.
He brings his reward for the people of God:
the recompense for those who are saved.
God will feed his flock like a shepherd:
and gather the lambs in his arms;
He will hold them to his breast:
and gently lead those that are with young.
Isaiah 40:9-11
3 The Opening Prayer
The night has passed and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.
let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence may be kept
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever. Amen.
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever. Amen.
4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each
1 Hear my teaching, O my people; •
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable; •
I will pour forth mysteries from of old,
3 Such as we have heard and known, •
which our forebears have told us.
4 We will not hide from their children,
but will recount to generations to come, •
the praises of the Lord and his power
and the wonderful works he has done.
5 He laid a solemn charge on Jacob
and made it a law in Israel, •
which he commanded them to teach their children,
6 That the generations to come might know,
and the children yet unborn, •
that they in turn might tell it to their children;
7 So that they might put their trust in God •
and not forget the deeds of God,
but keep his commandments,
8 And not be like their forebears,
a stubborn and rebellious generation, •
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
and whose spirit was not faithful to God.
9 The people of Ephraim, armed with the bow, •
turned back in the day of battle;
10 They did not keep the covenant of God •
and refused to walk in his law;
11 They forgot what he had done •
and the wonders he had shown them.
12 For he did marvellous things in the sight of their forebears, •
in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
13 He divided the sea and let them pass through; •
he made the waters stand still in a heap.
14 He led them with a cloud by day •
and all the night through with a blaze of fire.
15 He split the hard rocks in the wilderness •
and gave them drink as from the great deep.
16 He brought streams out of the rock •
and made water gush out like rivers.
17 Yet for all this they sinned more against him •
and defied the Most High in the wilderness.
18 They tested God in their hearts •
and demanded food for their craving.
19 They spoke against God and said, •
‘Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
20 ‘He struck the rock indeed, so that the waters gushed out
and the streams overflowed, •
but can he give bread or provide meat for his people?’
21 When the Lord heard this, he was full of wrath; •
a fire was kindled against Jacob
and his anger went out against Israel,
22 For they had no faith in God •
and put no trust in his saving help.
23 So he commanded the clouds above •
and opened the doors of heaven.
24 He rained down upon them manna to eat •
and gave them the grain of heaven.
25 So mortals ate the bread of angels; •
he sent them food in plenty.
26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens •
and led out the south wind by his might.
27 He rained flesh upon them as thick as dust •
and winged fowl like the sand of the sea.
28 He let it fall in the midst of their camp •
and round about their tents.
29 So they ate and were well filled, •
for he gave them what they desired.
30 But they did not stop their craving; •
their food was still in their mouths,
31 When the anger of God rose against them, •
and slew their strongest men
and felled the flower of Israel.
32 But for all this, they sinned yet more •
and put no faith in his wonderful works.
33 So he brought their days to an end like a breath •
and their years in sudden terror.
34 Whenever he slew them, they would seek him; •
they would repent and earnestly search for God.
35 They remembered that God was their rock •
and the Most High God their redeemer.
36 Yet they did but flatter him with their mouth •
and dissembled with their tongue.
37 Their heart was not steadfast towards him, •
neither were they faithful to his covenant.
38 But he was so merciful that he forgave their misdeeds
and did not destroy them; •
many a time he turned back his wrath
and did not suffer his whole displeasure to be roused.
39 For he remembered that they were but flesh, •
a wind that passes by and does not return.
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable; •
I will pour forth mysteries from of old,
3 Such as we have heard and known, •
which our forebears have told us.
4 We will not hide from their children,
but will recount to generations to come, •
the praises of the Lord and his power
and the wonderful works he has done.
5 He laid a solemn charge on Jacob
and made it a law in Israel, •
which he commanded them to teach their children,
6 That the generations to come might know,
and the children yet unborn, •
that they in turn might tell it to their children;
7 So that they might put their trust in God •
and not forget the deeds of God,
but keep his commandments,
8 And not be like their forebears,
a stubborn and rebellious generation, •
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
and whose spirit was not faithful to God.
9 The people of Ephraim, armed with the bow, •
turned back in the day of battle;
10 They did not keep the covenant of God •
and refused to walk in his law;
11 They forgot what he had done •
and the wonders he had shown them.
12 For he did marvellous things in the sight of their forebears, •
in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
13 He divided the sea and let them pass through; •
he made the waters stand still in a heap.
14 He led them with a cloud by day •
and all the night through with a blaze of fire.
15 He split the hard rocks in the wilderness •
and gave them drink as from the great deep.
16 He brought streams out of the rock •
and made water gush out like rivers.
17 Yet for all this they sinned more against him •
and defied the Most High in the wilderness.
18 They tested God in their hearts •
and demanded food for their craving.
19 They spoke against God and said, •
‘Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
20 ‘He struck the rock indeed, so that the waters gushed out
and the streams overflowed, •
but can he give bread or provide meat for his people?’
21 When the Lord heard this, he was full of wrath; •
a fire was kindled against Jacob
and his anger went out against Israel,
22 For they had no faith in God •
and put no trust in his saving help.
23 So he commanded the clouds above •
and opened the doors of heaven.
24 He rained down upon them manna to eat •
and gave them the grain of heaven.
25 So mortals ate the bread of angels; •
he sent them food in plenty.
26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens •
and led out the south wind by his might.
27 He rained flesh upon them as thick as dust •
and winged fowl like the sand of the sea.
28 He let it fall in the midst of their camp •
and round about their tents.
29 So they ate and were well filled, •
for he gave them what they desired.
30 But they did not stop their craving; •
their food was still in their mouths,
31 When the anger of God rose against them, •
and slew their strongest men
and felled the flower of Israel.
32 But for all this, they sinned yet more •
and put no faith in his wonderful works.
33 So he brought their days to an end like a breath •
and their years in sudden terror.
34 Whenever he slew them, they would seek him; •
they would repent and earnestly search for God.
35 They remembered that God was their rock •
and the Most High God their redeemer.
36 Yet they did but flatter him with their mouth •
and dissembled with their tongue.
37 Their heart was not steadfast towards him, •
neither were they faithful to his covenant.
38 But he was so merciful that he forgave their misdeeds
and did not destroy them; •
many a time he turned back his wrath
and did not suffer his whole displeasure to be roused.
39 For he remembered that they were but flesh, •
a wind that passes by and does not return.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us in your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share our human nature, so we may be partakers in his divine glory; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed
Judges 6:1–24 (Listen)
Midian Oppresses Israel
6:1 The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD gave them into the hand of Midian seven years. 2 And the hand of Midian overpowered Israel, and because of Midian the people of Israel made for themselves the dens that are in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds. 3 For whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them. 4 They would encamp against them and devour the produce of the land, as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance in Israel and no sheep or ox or donkey. 5 For they would come up with their livestock and their tents; they would come like locusts in number—both they and their camels could not be counted—so that they laid waste the land as they came in. 6 And Israel was brought very low because of Midian. And the people of Israel cried out for help to the LORD.
7 When the people of Israel cried out to the LORD on account of the Midianites, 8 the LORD sent a prophet to the people of Israel. And he said to them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: I led you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of slavery. 9 And I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you and gave you their land. 10 And I said to you, ‘I am the LORD your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.’ But you have not obeyed my voice.”
The Call of Gideon
11 Now the angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. 12 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” 13 And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” 14 And the LORD1 turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” 15 And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” 16 And the LORD said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” 17 And he said to him, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, then show me a sign that it is you who speak with me. 18 Please do not depart from here until I come to you and bring out my present and set it before you.” And he said, “I will stay till you return.”
19 So Gideon went into his house and prepared a young goat and unleavened cakes from an ephah2 of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and the broth he put in a pot, and brought them to him under the terebinth and presented them. 20 And the angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened cakes, and put them on this rock, and pour the broth over them.” And he did so. 21 Then the angel of the LORD reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes. And fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened cakes. And the angel of the LORD vanished from his sight. 22 Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the LORD. And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.” 23 But the LORD said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.” 24 Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and called it, The LORD Is Peace. To this day it still stands at Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites.
Footnotes
[1] 6:14
[2] 6:19
(ESV)
Luke 14:1–11 (Listen)
Healing of a Man on the Sabbath
14:1 One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. 2 And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” 4 But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. 5 And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son1 or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?” 6 And they could not reply to these things.
The Parable of the Wedding Feast
7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Footnotes
[1] 14:5
(ESV)
The reading may be followed by a period of silence for reflection, a hymn or
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
and bear much fruit to your glory.
7 The Canticle, The Hymn of the Word
In the beginning was the Word:
and the Word was with God,
And the Word was God:
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through him:
and without him, was not anything made that was made.
In him was life:
and the life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness:
and the darkness has not overcome it.
He was in the world:
and the world was made through him
yet the world knew him not.
He came to his own home:
and his own people received him not.
But to all who received him who believed on his name:
he has given power to become children of God;
Who were born not of blood
nor of the will of the flesh:
nor of the will of a man but of God,
And the Word became flesh:
and dwelt among us full of grace and truth;
We have beheld his glory:
glory as of the only Son from the Father,
And from his fullness have we all received:
the grace upon grace.
and the Word was with God,
And the Word was God:
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through him:
and without him, was not anything made that was made.
In him was life:
and the life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness:
and the darkness has not overcome it.
He was in the world:
and the world was made through him
yet the world knew him not.
He came to his own home:
and his own people received him not.
But to all who received him who believed on his name:
he has given power to become children of God;
Who were born not of blood
nor of the will of the flesh:
nor of the will of a man but of God,
And the Word became flesh:
and dwelt among us full of grace and truth;
We have beheld his glory:
glory as of the only Son from the Father,
And from his fullness have we all received:
the grace upon grace.
John 1:1-5, 10-14, 16
8 The Apostles' Creed may be said
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
9 The Prayers
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
10 The Lord's Prayer and the Collect of the Day
Our Father in heaven
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
11 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.
12 The Morning Collect
Lord and heavenly Father,
you have brought us safely to this new day:
keep us by your mighty power, protect us from sin,
guard us from every kind of danger,
and in all we do this day
direct us in the fulfilling of your purpose,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
you have brought us safely to this new day:
keep us by your mighty power, protect us from sin,
guard us from every kind of danger,
and in all we do this day
direct us in the fulfilling of your purpose,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
13
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May the God of peace equip us with everything good so that we may do his will; and may he work in us that which is pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
see Hebrews 13:20-21
1
The Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult and give God the glory.
Let us rejoice and exult and give God the glory.
Revelation 19:6-7
Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
2 The Opening Canticle, A Song for Joy
Be joyful in the Lord, all the earth:
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with singing.
Know that the Lord is God:
it is he who has made us, and we are his;
for we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise:
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good;
his loving-kindness is everlasting:
and his faithfulness endures from age to age.
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with singing.
Know that the Lord is God:
it is he who has made us, and we are his;
for we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise:
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good;
his loving-kindness is everlasting:
and his faithfulness endures from age to age.
Psalm 100
3 The Opening Prayer
The day is now passed and the night is at hand.
Let us pray with one heart and mind.
Let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence may be kept
Father of lights, receive the prayer and praise we offer you as our evening sacrifice; make us a light for all the world, delivered by your goodness from all the works of darkness; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each
40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness •
and grieved him in the desert!
41 Again and again they tempted God •
and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
42 They did not remember his power •
in the day when he redeemed them from the enemy;
43 How he had wrought his signs in Egypt •
and his wonders in the field of Zoan.
44 He turned their rivers into blood, •
so that they could not drink of their streams.
45 He sent swarms of flies among them, which devoured them, •
and frogs which brought them ruin.
46 He gave their produce to the caterpillar, •
the fruit of their toil to the locust.
47 He destroyed their vines with hailstones •
and their sycamore trees with the frost.
48 He delivered their cattle to hailstones •
and their flocks to thunderbolts.
49 He set loose on them his blazing anger: •
fury, displeasure and trouble,
a troop of destroying angels.
50 He made a way for his anger
and spared not their souls from death, •
but gave their life over to the pestilence.
51 He smote the firstborn of Egypt, •
the first fruits of their strength in the tents of Ham.
52 But he led out his people like sheep •
and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
53 He led them to safety and they were not afraid, •
but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
54 He brought them to his holy place, •
the mountain which his right hand took in possession.
55 He drove out the nations before them
and shared out to them their inheritance; •
he settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.
56 Yet still they tested God Most High
and rebelled against him, •
and would not keep his commandments.
57 They turned back and fell away like their forebears, •
starting aside like an unstrung bow.
58 They grieved him with their hill altars •
and provoked him to displeasure with their idols.
59 God heard and was greatly angered, •
and utterly rejected Israel.
60 He forsook the tabernacle at Shiloh, •
the tent of his presence on earth.
61 He gave the ark of his strength into captivity, •
his splendour into the adversary’s hand.
62 He delivered his people to the sword •
and raged against his inheritance.
63 The fire consumed their young men; •
there was no one to lament their maidens.
64 Their priests fell by the sword, •
and their widows made no lamentation.
65 Then the Lord woke as out of sleep, •
like a warrior who had been overcome with wine.
66 He struck his enemies from behind •
and put them to perpetual shame.
67 He rejected the tent of Joseph •
and chose not the tribe of Ephraim,
68 But he chose the tribe of Judah •
and the hill of Zion, which he loved.
69 And there he built his sanctuary like the heights of heaven, •
like the earth which he founded for ever.
70 He chose David also, his servant, •
and took him away from the sheepfolds.
71 From following the ewes with their lambs he took him, •
that he might shepherd Jacob his people
and Israel his inheritance.
72 So he shepherded them with a devoted heart •
and with skilful hands he guided them.
and grieved him in the desert!
41 Again and again they tempted God •
and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
42 They did not remember his power •
in the day when he redeemed them from the enemy;
43 How he had wrought his signs in Egypt •
and his wonders in the field of Zoan.
44 He turned their rivers into blood, •
so that they could not drink of their streams.
45 He sent swarms of flies among them, which devoured them, •
and frogs which brought them ruin.
46 He gave their produce to the caterpillar, •
the fruit of their toil to the locust.
47 He destroyed their vines with hailstones •
and their sycamore trees with the frost.
48 He delivered their cattle to hailstones •
and their flocks to thunderbolts.
49 He set loose on them his blazing anger: •
fury, displeasure and trouble,
a troop of destroying angels.
50 He made a way for his anger
and spared not their souls from death, •
but gave their life over to the pestilence.
51 He smote the firstborn of Egypt, •
the first fruits of their strength in the tents of Ham.
52 But he led out his people like sheep •
and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
53 He led them to safety and they were not afraid, •
but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
54 He brought them to his holy place, •
the mountain which his right hand took in possession.
55 He drove out the nations before them
and shared out to them their inheritance; •
he settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.
56 Yet still they tested God Most High
and rebelled against him, •
and would not keep his commandments.
57 They turned back and fell away like their forebears, •
starting aside like an unstrung bow.
58 They grieved him with their hill altars •
and provoked him to displeasure with their idols.
59 God heard and was greatly angered, •
and utterly rejected Israel.
60 He forsook the tabernacle at Shiloh, •
the tent of his presence on earth.
61 He gave the ark of his strength into captivity, •
his splendour into the adversary’s hand.
62 He delivered his people to the sword •
and raged against his inheritance.
63 The fire consumed their young men; •
there was no one to lament their maidens.
64 Their priests fell by the sword, •
and their widows made no lamentation.
65 Then the Lord woke as out of sleep, •
like a warrior who had been overcome with wine.
66 He struck his enemies from behind •
and put them to perpetual shame.
67 He rejected the tent of Joseph •
and chose not the tribe of Ephraim,
68 But he chose the tribe of Judah •
and the hill of Zion, which he loved.
69 And there he built his sanctuary like the heights of heaven, •
like the earth which he founded for ever.
70 He chose David also, his servant, •
and took him away from the sheepfolds.
71 From following the ewes with their lambs he took him, •
that he might shepherd Jacob his people
and Israel his inheritance.
72 So he shepherded them with a devoted heart •
and with skilful hands he guided them.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
God our Saviour, you sent Jesus into the world of sin, and delivered him up to death for us: kindle in our hearts the same love with which he loved his own to the end; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed
Ezra 4:7–24 (Listen)
The Letter to King Artaxerxes
7 In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam and Mithredath and Tabeel and the rest of their associates wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated.1 8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows: 9 Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges, the governors, the officials, the Persians, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites, 10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River. 11 (This is a copy of the letter that they sent.) “To Artaxerxes the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now 12 be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. 13 Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired. 14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace2 and it is not fitting for us to witness the king’s dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king, 15 in order that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and that sedition was stirred up in it from of old. That was why this city was laid waste. 16 We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River.”
The King Orders the Work to Cease
17 The king sent an answer: “To Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their associates who live in Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River, greeting. And now 18 the letter that you sent to us has been plainly read before me. 19 And I made a decree, and search has been made, and it has been found that this city from of old has risen against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it. 20 And mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, who ruled over the whole province Beyond the River, to whom tribute, custom, and toll were paid. 21 Therefore make a decree that these men be made to cease, and that this city be not rebuilt, until a decree is made by me. 22 And take care not to be slack in this matter. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the king?”
23 Then, when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their associates, they went in haste to the Jews at Jerusalem and by force and power made them cease. 24 Then the work on the house of God that is in Jerusalem stopped, and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Footnotes
[1] 4:7
[2] 4:14
(ESV)
Romans 10:11–21 (Listen)
11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?1 And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for
“Their voice has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.”
19 But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says,
“I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation;
with a foolish nation I will make you angry.”
20 Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,
“I have been found by those who did not seek me;
I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”
21 But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
Footnotes
[1] 10:14
(ESV)
The reading may be followed by a period of silence for reflection, a hymn or
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
and bear much fruit to your glory.
7 The Canticle, The Song of Christ's Glory
Christ Jesus was in the form of God:
but he did not cling to equality with God.
He emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant:
and was born in our human likeness.
Being found in human form, he humbled himself:
and became obedient unto death,
even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him:
and bestowed on him the name above every name,
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow:
in heaven and on earth and under the earth;
And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord:
to the glory of God the Father.
but he did not cling to equality with God.
He emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant:
and was born in our human likeness.
Being found in human form, he humbled himself:
and became obedient unto death,
even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him:
and bestowed on him the name above every name,
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow:
in heaven and on earth and under the earth;
And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord:
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5b-11
8 The Prayers
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
9 The Lord's Prayer and the Collect of the Day
Our Father in heaven
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
10 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.
11 The Evening Collect
Be present, merciful God, and protect us through the hours of the night: that we, who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world, may rest on your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
12
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
2 Corinthians 13:14