Friday in Season after Pentecost

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

Genesis 49:29-50:14

Text not available in the Berean Standard Bible.

PSALM

Psalm 124

A song of ascents. Of David. If the LORD had not been on our side— let Israel now declare—

if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us,

when their anger flared against us, then they would have swallowed us alive,

then the floods would have engulfed us, then the torrent would have overwhelmed us,

then the raging waters would have swept us away.

Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth.

We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; the net is torn, and we have slipped away.

Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Ezekiel 31:15-18

Verse 15. This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘On the day it was brought down to Sheol, I caused mourning. I covered the deep because of it; I held back its rivers; its abundant waters were restrained. I made Lebanon mourn for it, and all the trees of the field fainted because of it. Verse 16. I made the nations quake at the sound of its downfall, when I cast it down to Sheol with those who descend to the Pit. Then all the trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, all the well-watered trees, were consoled in the earth below. Verse 17. They too descended with it to Sheol, to those slain by the sword. As its allies they had lived in its shade among the nations. Verse 18. Who then is like you in glory and greatness among the trees of Eden? You also will be brought down to the depths of the earth to be with the trees of Eden. You will lie among the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord GOD.’”

PSALM

Psalm 138

Of David. I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises.

I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else.

On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.

All the kings of the earth will give You thanks, O LORD, when they hear the words of Your mouth.

They will sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.

Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.

If I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve me from the anger of my foes; You extend Your hand, and Your right hand saves me.

The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. O LORD, Your loving devotion endures forever — do not abandon the works of Your hands.

SECOND READING

2 Corinthians 10:12-18

Verse 12. We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance. Verse 13. We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but only within the field of influence that God has assigned to us — a field that reaches even to you. Verse 14. We are not overstepping our bounds, as if we had not come to you. Indeed, we were the first to reach you with the gospel of Christ. Verse 15. Neither do we boast beyond our limits in the labors of others. But we hope that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you will greatly increase as well, Verse 16. so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. Then we will not be boasting in the work already done in another man’s territory. Verse 17. Rather, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” Verse 18. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.