FIRST READING
Proverbs 3:13-18
13Verse 13. Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding,
14Verse 14. for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold.
15Verse 15. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her.
16Verse 16. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17Verse 17. All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful.
18Verse 18. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.
1Verse 1. A prayer of one who is afflicted, when he grows faint and pours out his lament before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come before You.
2Verse 2. Do not hide Your face from me in my day of distress. Incline Your ear to me; answer me quickly when I call.
3Verse 3. For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like glowing embers.
4Verse 4. My heart is afflicted, and withered like grass; I even forget to eat my bread.
5Verse 5. Through my loud groaning my skin hangs on my bones.
6Verse 6. I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.
7Verse 7. I lie awake; I am like a lone bird on a housetop.
8Verse 8. All day long my enemies taunt me; they ridicule me and curse me.
9Verse 9. For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears
10Verse 10. because of Your indignation and wrath, for You have picked me up and cast me aside.
11Verse 11. My days are like lengthening shadows, and I wither away like grass.
12Verse 12. But You, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; Your renown endures to all generations.
13Verse 13. You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor — the appointed time has come.
14Verse 14. For Your servants delight in her stones and take pity on her dust.
15Verse 15. So the nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear Your glory.
16Verse 16. For the LORD will rebuild Zion; He has appeared in His glory.
17Verse 17. He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their prayer.
SECOND READING
John 8:31-38
31Verse 31. So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.
32Verse 32. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33Verse 33. “We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?”
34Verse 34. Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
35Verse 35. A slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son remains forever.
36Verse 36. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
37Verse 37. I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you.
38Verse 38. I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”