Wednesday in Epiphany

FIRST READING

1 Kings 10:1-13

Verse 1. Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions. Verse 2. She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan— with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind. Verse 3. And Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too difficult for the king to explain. Verse 4. When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built, Verse 5. the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away. Verse 6. She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your words and wisdom is true. Verse 7. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told to me. Your wisdom and prosperity have far exceeded the report I heard. Verse 8. How blessed are your men! How blessed are these servants of yours who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! Verse 9. Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness.” Verse 10. Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again were spices in such abundance brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. Verse 11. (The fleet of Hiram that brought gold from Ophir also brought from Ophir a great cargo of almug wood and precious stones. Verse 12. The king made the almug wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had such almug wood been brought in, nor has such been seen again to this day.) Verse 13. King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired — whatever she asked — besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty. Then she left and returned to her own country, along with her servants.

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

Ephesians 3:14-21

Verse 14. ... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father, Verse 15. from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. Verse 16. I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, Verse 17. so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, Verse 18. will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth Verse 19. of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Verse 20. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, Verse 21. to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.