Open Word

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

Isaiah 41:8-10

Verse 8. “But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend— Verse 9. I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said, ‘You are My servant.’ I have chosen and not rejected you. Verse 10. Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

PSALM

Psalm 17:1-7, 15

A prayer of David. Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer— it comes from lips free of deceit.

May my vindication come from Your presence; may Your eyes see what is right.

You have tried my heart; You have visited me in the night. You have tested me and found no evil; I have resolved not to sin with my mouth.

As for the deeds of men — by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.

My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped.

I call on You, O God, for You will answer me. Incline Your ear to me; hear my words.

Show the wonders of Your loving devotion, You who save by Your right hand those who seek refuge from their foes.

As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Isaiah 51:17-23

Verse 17. Awake, awake! Rise up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the LORD the cup of His fury; you who have drained the goblet to the dregs — the cup that makes men stagger. Verse 18. Among all the sons she bore, there is no one to guide her; among all the sons she brought up, there is no one to take her hand. Verse 19. These pairs have befallen you: devastation and destruction, famine and sword. Who will grieve for you? Who can comfort you? Verse 20. Your sons have fainted; they lie at the head of every street, like an antelope in a net. They are full of the wrath of the LORD, the rebuke of your God. Verse 21. Therefore now hear this, you afflicted one, drunken, but not with wine. Verse 22. Thus says your Lord, the LORD, even your God, who defends His people: “See, I have removed from your hand the cup of staggering. From that goblet, the cup of My fury, you will never drink again. Verse 23. I will place it in the hands of your tormentors, who told you: ‘Lie down, so we can walk over you,’ so that you made your back like the ground, like a street to be traversed.”

PSALM

Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion.

The LORD is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made.

The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in season.

You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds.

The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.

The LORD preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.

My mouth will declare the praise of the LORD; let every creature bless His holy name forever and ever.

SECOND READING

Romans 9:6-13

Verse 6. It is not as though God’s word has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Verse 7. Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” Verse 8. So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. Verse 9. For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” Verse 10. Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. Verse 11. Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, Verse 12. not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” Verse 13. So it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”