Wednesday in Season after Pentecost

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

Joshua 10:12-14

Verse 12. On the day that the LORD gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the LORD in the presence of Israel: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” Verse 13. So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? “So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.” Verse 14. There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man, because the LORD fought for Israel.

PSALM

Psalm 128

A song of ascents. Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in His ways!

For when you eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine flourishing within your house, your sons like olive shoots sitting around your table.

In this way indeed shall blessing come to the man who fears the LORD.

May the LORD bless you from Zion, that you may see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life,

that you may see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Proverbs 16:21-33

Verse 21. The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction. Verse 22. Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly. Verse 23. The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Verse 24. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Verse 25. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Verse 26. A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward. Verse 27. A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. Verse 28. A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends. Verse 29. A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good. Verse 30. He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil. Verse 31. Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness. Verse 32. He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city. Verse 33. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

PSALM

Psalm 5

For the choirmaster, to be accompanied by flutes. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.

Attend to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I pray.

In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.

For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; no evil can dwell with You.

The boastful cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all workers of iniquity.

You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.

But I will enter Your house by the abundance of Your loving devotion; in reverence I will bow down toward Your holy temple.

Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make straight Your way before me.

For not a word they speak can be trusted; destruction lies within them. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.

Declare them guilty, O God; let them fall by their own devices. Drive them out for their many transgressions, for they have rebelled against You.

But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever shout for joy. May You shelter them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.

For surely You, O LORD, bless the righteous; You surround them with the shield of Your favor.

SECOND READING

Matthew 15:1-9

Verse 1. Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, Verse 2. “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.” Verse 3. Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? Verse 4. For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ Verse 5. But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ Verse 6. he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. Verse 7. You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: Verse 8. ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Verse 9. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ ”