Open Word

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

Exodus 9:1-7

Verse 1. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. Verse 2. But if you continue to restrain them and refuse to let them go, Verse 3. then the hand of the LORD will bring a severe plague on your livestock in the field— on your horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks. Verse 4. But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.’” Verse 5. The LORD set a time, saying, “Tomorrow the LORD will do this in the land.” Verse 6. And the next day the LORD did just that. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died. Verse 7. Pharaoh sent officials and found that none of the livestock of the Israelites had died. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not let the people go.

PSALM

Psalm 149

Hallelujah! Sing to the LORD a new song — His praise in the assembly of the godly.

Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.

Let them praise His name with dancing, and make music to Him with tambourine and harp.

For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the afflicted with salvation.

Let the saints exult in glory; let them shout for joy upon their beds.

May the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a double-edged sword in their hands,

to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples,

to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with shackles of iron,

to execute the judgment written against them. This honor is for all His saints. Hallelujah!

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Ezekiel 24:1-14

Verse 1. In the ninth year, on the tenth day of the tenth month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Verse 2. “Son of man, write down today’s date, for on this very day the king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem. Verse 3. Now speak a parable to this rebellious house and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Put the pot on the fire; put it on and pour in the water. Verse 4. Put in the pieces of meat, every good piece— thigh and shoulder — fill it with choice bones. Verse 5. Take the choicest of the flock and pile the fuel beneath it. Bring it to a boil and cook the bones in it.’ Verse 6. Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the city of bloodshed, to the pot now rusted, whose rust will not come off! Empty it piece by piece; cast no lots for its contents. Verse 7. For the blood she shed is still within her; she poured it out on the bare rock; she did not pour it on the ground to cover it with dust. Verse 8. In order to stir up wrath and take vengeance, I have placed her blood on the bare rock, so that it would not be covered.’ Verse 9. Yes, this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the city of bloodshed! I, too, will pile the kindling high. Verse 10. Pile on the logs and kindle the fire; cook the meat well and mix in the spices; let the bones be burned. Verse 11. Set the empty pot on its coals until it becomes hot and its copper glows. Then its impurity will melt within; its rust will be consumed. Verse 12. It has frustrated every effort; its thick rust has not been removed, even by the fire. Verse 13. Because of the indecency of your uncleanness I tried to cleanse you, but you would not be purified from your filthiness. You will not be pure again until My wrath against you has subsided. Verse 14. I, the LORD, have spoken; the time is coming, and I will act. I will not refrain or show pity, nor will I relent. I will judge you according to your ways and deeds,’

PSALM

Psalm 119:33-40

Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep them to the end.

Give me understanding that I may obey Your law, and follow it with all my heart.

Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for there I find delight.

Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word.

Establish Your word to Your servant, to produce reverence for You.

Turn away the disgrace I dread, for Your judgments are good.

How I long for Your precepts! Revive me in Your righteousness.

SECOND READING

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Verse 11. I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. Verse 12. The marks of a true apostle — signs, wonders, and miracles — were performed among you with great perseverance. Verse 13. In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! Verse 14. See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. Verse 15. And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less? Verse 16. Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery. Verse 17. Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you? Verse 18. I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps? Verse 19. Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up. Verse 20. For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. Verse 21. I am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery.