Tuesday in Epiphany

FIRST READING

Genesis 45:25-46:7

Verse 25. So the brothers went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. Verse 26. “Joseph is still alive,” they said, “and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!” But Jacob was stunned, for he did not believe them. Verse 27. However, when they relayed all that Joseph had told them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob was revived. Verse 28. “Enough!” declared Israel. “My son Joseph is still alive! I will go to see him before I die.” Verse 1. So Israel set out with all that he had, and when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. Verse 2. And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob. Verse 3. “I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. Verse 4. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you back. And Joseph’s own hands will close your eyes.” Verse 5. Then Jacob departed from Beersheba, and the sons of Israel took their father Jacob in the wagons Pharaoh had sent to carry him, along with their children and wives. Verse 6. They also took the livestock and possessions they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt. Verse 7. Jacob took with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons, and his daughters and granddaughters — all his offspring.

PSALM

Psalm 46

For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas,

though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge.

There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her; she will not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns.

Nations rage, kingdoms crumble; the earth melts when He lifts His voice.

The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come, see the works of the LORD, who brings devastation upon the earth.

He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire.

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.”

The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

SECOND READING

Acts 5:33-42

Verse 33. When the Council members heard this, they were enraged, and they resolved to put the apostles to death. Verse 34. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a short time. Verse 35. “Men of Israel,” he said, “consider carefully what you are about to do to these men. Verse 36. Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. Verse 37. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered. Verse 38. So in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone. Let them go! For if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin, it will fail. Verse 39. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.” Verse 40. At this, they yielded to Gamaliel. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them. Verse 41. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Verse 42. Every day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.