Open Word

FIRST READING

1 Samuel 2:21-25

Verse 21. So the LORD attended to Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD. Verse 22. Now Eli was very old, and he heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Verse 23. “Why are you doing these things?” Eli said to his sons. “I hear about your wicked deeds from all these people. Verse 24. No, my sons; it is not a good report I hear circulating among the LORD’s people. Verse 25. If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to put them to death.

PSALM

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me.

You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar.

You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways.

Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD.

You hem me in behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well.

My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum!

If I were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; and when I awake, I am still with You.

SECOND READING

Matthew 25:1-13

Verse 1. “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Verse 2. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Verse 3. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil. Verse 4. But the wise ones took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Verse 5. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. Verse 6. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Verse 7. Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. Verse 8. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ Verse 9. ‘No,’ said the wise ones, ‘or there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ Verse 10. But while they were on their way to buy it, the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. Verse 11. Later the other virgins arrived and said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us!’ Verse 12. But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Verse 13. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.