Open Word

FIRST READING

Genesis 15:1-18

Verse 1. After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Verse 2. But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Verse 3. Abram continued, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir.” Verse 4. Then the word of the LORD came to Abram, saying, “This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir.” Verse 5. And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.” Verse 6. Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Verse 7. The LORD also told him, “I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.” Verse 8. But Abram replied, “Lord GOD, how can I know that I will possess it?” Verse 9. And the LORD said to him, “Bring Me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a turtledove and a young pigeon.” Verse 10. So Abram brought all these to Him, split each of them down the middle, and laid the halves opposite each other. The birds, however, he did not cut in half. Verse 11. And the birds of prey descended on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. Verse 12. As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and suddenly great terror and darkness overwhelmed him. Verse 13. Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. Verse 14. But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions. Verse 15. You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a ripe old age. Verse 16. In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” Verse 17. When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch appeared and passed between the halves of the carcasses. Verse 18. On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land — from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates —

PSALM

Psalm 21

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, the king rejoices in Your strength. How greatly he exults in Your salvation!

You have granted his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.

For You welcomed him with rich blessings; You placed on his head a crown of pure gold.

He asked You for life, and You granted it— length of days, forever and ever.

Great is his glory in Your salvation; You bestow on him splendor and majesty.

For You grant him blessings forever; You cheer him with joy in Your presence.

For the king trusts in the LORD; through the loving devotion of the Most High, he will not be shaken.

Your hand will apprehend all Your enemies; Your right hand will seize those who hate You.

You will place them in a fiery furnace at the time of Your appearing. In His wrath the LORD will engulf them, and the fire will consume them.

You will wipe their descendants from the earth, and their offspring from the sons of men.

Though they intend You harm, the schemes they devise will not prevail.

For You will put them to flight when Your bow is trained upon them.

Be exalted, O LORD, in Your strength; we will sing and praise Your power.

SECOND READING

Matthew 12:33-37

Verse 33. Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit. Verse 34. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Verse 35. The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. Verse 36. But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. Verse 37. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”