First Sunday in Lent

FIRST READING

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

Text not available in the Berean Standard Bible.

PSALM

Psalm 32

Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long.

For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was drained as in the summer heat.

Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near.

You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.

Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the LORD.

Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

SECOND READING

Romans 5:12-19

Verse 12. Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned. Verse 13. For sin was in the world before the law was given; but sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Verse 14. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the One to come. Verse 15. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many! Verse 16. Again, the gift is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment that followed one sin brought condemnation, but the gift that followed many trespasses brought justification. Verse 17. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Verse 18. So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men. Verse 19. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

GOSPEL

Matthew 4:1-11

Verse 1. Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Verse 2. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. Verse 3. The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Verse 4. But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Verse 5. Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple. Verse 6. “If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning You, and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ ” Verse 7. Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” Verse 8. Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Verse 9. “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.” Verse 10. “Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ” Verse 11. Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.