Friday in Epiphany — Open Word

FIRST READING

1 Samuel 9:27-10:8

Text not available in the Berean Standard Bible.

PSALM

Psalm 27:1-6

Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— whom shall I dread?

When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell.

Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.

One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.

For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock.

Then my head will be held high above my enemies around me. At His tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

SECOND READING

Galatians 2:1-10

Verse 1. Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, accompanied by Barnabas. I took Titus along also. Verse 2. I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I spoke privately to those recognized as leaders, for fear that I was running or had already run in vain. Verse 3. Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. Verse 4. This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. Verse 5. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. Verse 6. But as for the highly esteemed— whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism — those leaders added nothing to me. Verse 7. On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. Verse 8. For the One who was at work in Peter’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles. Verse 9. And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John — those reputed to be pillars — gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. Verse 10. They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.