Proper 16 (21) — Open Word

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

Exodus 1:8-2:10

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

Isaiah 51:1-6

Verse 1. “Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut, and to the quarry from which you were hewn. Verse 2. Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him. Verse 3. For the LORD will comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and melodious song. Verse 4. Pay attention to Me, My people, and listen to Me, My nation; for a law will go out from Me, and My justice will become a light to the nations; I will bring it about quickly. Verse 5. My righteousness draws near, My salvation is on the way, and My arms will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look for Me and wait in hope for My arm. Verse 6. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail.

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

Romans 12:1-8

Verse 1. Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Verse 2. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Verse 3. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you. Verse 4. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, Verse 5. so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. Verse 6. We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; Verse 7. if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; Verse 8. if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

GOSPEL

Matthew 16:13-20

Verse 13. When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Verse 14. They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Verse 15. “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Verse 16. Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Verse 17. Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven. Verse 18. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Verse 19. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Verse 20. Then He admonished the disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ.