Open Word

FIRST READING

Exodus 19:1-9a

Verse 1. In the third month, on the same day of the month that the Israelites had left the land of Egypt, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. Verse 2. After they had set out from Rephidim, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai, and Israel camped there in front of the mountain. Verse 3. Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, “This is what you are to tell the house of Jacob and explain to the sons of Israel: Verse 4. ‘You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Verse 5. Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations — for the whole earth is Mine. Verse 6. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.” Verse 7. So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him. Verse 8. And all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the LORD has spoken.” So Moses brought their words back to the LORD. Verse 9. The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and they will always put their trust in you.” And Moses relayed to the LORD what the people had said.

PSALM

Psalm 19

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

Without speech or language, without a sound to be heard,

their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun.

Like a bridegroom emerging from his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course,

it rises at one end of the heavens and runs its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.

The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous.

They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

By them indeed Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward.

Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.

Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgression.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

SECOND READING

1 Peter 2:4-10

Verse 4. As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, Verse 5. you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Verse 6. For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” Verse 7. To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” Verse 8. and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word— and to this they were appointed. Verse 9. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Verse 10. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.