Open Word

FIRST READING

Isaiah 43:8-13

Verse 8. Bring out a people who have eyes but are blind, and who have ears but are deaf. Verse 9. All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and proclaim to us the former things? Let them present their witnesses to vindicate them, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.” Verse 10. “You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may consider and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, and after Me none will come. Verse 11. I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no Savior but Me. Verse 12. I alone decreed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. So you are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God. Verse 13. Even from eternity I am He, and none can deliver out of My hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”

PSALM

Psalm 119:9-16

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.

With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments.

I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.

Blessed are You, O LORD; teach me Your statutes.

With my lips I proclaim all the judgments of Your mouth.

I rejoice in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches.

I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways.

I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

SECOND READING

2 Corinthians 3:4-11

Verse 4. Such confidence before God is ours through Christ. Verse 5. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God. Verse 6. And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Verse 7. Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, Verse 8. will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? Verse 9. For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness! Verse 10. Indeed, what was once glorious has no glory now in comparison to the glory that surpasses it. Verse 11. For if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which endures!