Open Word

FIRST READING

Joshua 1:1-9

Verse 1. Now after the death of His servant Moses, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying, Verse 2. “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, you and all these people, and cross over the Jordan into the land that I am giving to the children of Israel. Verse 3. I have given you every place where the sole of your foot will tread, just as I promised to Moses. Verse 4. Your territory shall extend from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great River Euphrates— all the land of the Hittites— and west as far as the Great Sea. Verse 5. No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Verse 6. Be strong and courageous, for you shall give these people the inheritance of the land that I swore to their fathers I would give them. Verse 7. Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. Verse 8. This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do. Verse 9. Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

PSALM

Psalm 72

Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness.

May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice.

May the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills bring righteousness.

May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.

May they fear him as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon remains, through all generations.

May he be like rain that falls on freshly cut grass, like spring showers that water the earth.

May the righteous flourish in his days and prosperity abound until the moon is no more.

May he rule from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.

May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust.

May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.

May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.

For he will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper.

He will take pity on the poor and needy and save the lives of the oppressed.

He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their blood is precious in his sight.

Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him; may they bless him all day long.

May there be an abundance of grain in the land; may it sway atop the hills. May its fruit trees flourish like the forests of Lebanon, the people of its cities like the grass of the field.

May his name endure forever; may his name continue as long as the sun shines. In him may all nations be blessed; may they call him blessed.

Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.

And blessed be His glorious name forever; may all the earth be filled with His glory. Amen and amen.

Thus conclude the prayers of David son of Jesse.

SECOND READING

Hebrews 11:32-12:2

Verse 32. And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, Verse 33. who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, Verse 34. quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. Verse 35. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused their release, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Verse 36. Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. Verse 37. They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated. Verse 38. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground. Verse 39. These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised. Verse 40. God had planned something better for us, so that together with us they would be made perfect. Verse 1. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Verse 2. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.