Open Word

FIRST READING

Deuteronomy 4:1-14

Verse 1. Hear now, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live and may enter and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. Verse 2. You must not add to or subtract from what I command you, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you. Verse 3. Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal-peor, for the LORD your God destroyed from among you all who followed Baal of Peor. Verse 4. But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive to this day, every one of you. Verse 5. See, I have taught you statutes and ordinances just as the LORD my God has commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land that you are about to enter and possess. Verse 6. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” Verse 7. For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him? Verse 8. And what nation is great enough to have righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today? Verse 9. Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren. Verse 10. The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, “Gather the people before Me to hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children.” Verse 11. You came near and stood at the base of the mountain, a mountain blazing with fire to the heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. Verse 12. And the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of the words but saw no form; there was only a voice. Verse 13. He declared to you His covenant, which He commanded you to follow — the Ten Commandments that He wrote on two tablets of stone. Verse 14. At that time the LORD commanded me to teach you the statutes and ordinances you are to follow in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.

PSALM

Psalm 112:1-9

Hallelujah! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments.

His descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.

Light dawns in the darkness for the upright — for the gracious, compassionate, and righteous.

It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.

Surely he will never be shaken; the righteous man will be remembered forever.

He does not fear bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

His heart is assured; he does not fear, until he looks in triumph on his foes.

He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.

SECOND READING

1 John 5:1-5

Verse 1. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him. Verse 2. By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments. Verse 3. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, Verse 4. because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. Verse 5. Who then overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.