Wednesday in Season after Pentecost

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

2 Kings 17:7-20

Verse 7. All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods Verse 8. and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel. Verse 9. The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities. Verse 10. They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. Verse 11. They burned incense on all the high places like the nations that the LORD had driven out before them. They did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger. Verse 12. They served idols, although the LORD had told them, “You shall not do this thing.” Verse 13. Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.” Verse 14. But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God. Verse 15. They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate. Verse 16. They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal. Verse 17. They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. Verse 18. So the LORD was very angry with Israel, and He removed them from His presence. Only the tribe of Judah remained, Verse 19. and even Judah did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but lived according to the customs Israel had introduced. Verse 20. So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel. He afflicted them and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, until He had banished them from His presence.

PSALM

Psalm 97

The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the distant shores be glad.

Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.

Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side.

His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles.

The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim His righteousness; all the peoples see His glory.

All worshipers of images are put to shame — those who boast in idols. Worship Him, all you gods!

Zion hears and rejoices, and the towns of Judah exult because of Your judgments, O LORD.

For You, O LORD, are Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods.

Hate evil, O you who love the LORD! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Light shines on the righteous, gladness on the upright in heart.

Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous ones, and praise His holy name.

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Song of Solomon 7:10-8:4

Text not available in the Berean Standard Bible.

PSALM

Psalm 34

Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, so that the king drove him away. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.

My soul boasts in the LORD; let the oppressed hear and rejoice.

Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together.

I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.

This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.

Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Who is the man who delights in life, who desires to see good days?

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.

Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.

But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to wipe out all memory of them from the earth.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.

He protects all his bones; not one of them will be broken.

Evil will slay the wicked, and the haters of the righteous will be condemned.

The LORD redeems His servants, and none who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

SECOND READING

John 6:25-35

Verse 25. When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they asked Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?” Verse 26. Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it is not because you saw these signs that you are looking for Me, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Verse 27. Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.” Verse 28. Then they inquired, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Verse 29. Jesus replied, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.” Verse 30. So they asked Him, “What sign then will You perform, so that we may see it and believe You? What will You do? Verse 31. Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” Verse 32. Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. Verse 33. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Verse 34. “Sir,” they said, “give us this bread at all times.” Verse 35. Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.