Open Word

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 30:1-11a

Verse 1. This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: Verse 2. “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you. Verse 3. For behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will restore from captivity My people Israel and Judah, declares the LORD. I will restore them to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they will possess it.’” Verse 4. These are the words that the LORD spoke concerning Israel and Judah. Verse 5. Yes, this is what the LORD says: “A cry of panic is heard — a cry of terror, not of peace. Verse 6. Ask now, and see: Can a male give birth? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor and every face turned pale? Verse 7. How awful that day will be! None will be like it! It is the time of Jacob’s distress, but he will be saved out of it. Verse 8. On that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will break the yoke off their necks and tear off their bonds, and no longer will strangers enslave them. Verse 9. Instead, they will serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them. Verse 10. As for you, O Jacob My servant, do not be afraid, declares the LORD, and do not be dismayed, O Israel. For I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their captivity! Jacob will return to quiet and ease, with no one to make him afraid. Verse 11. For I am with you to save you, declares the LORD.

PSALM

Psalm 150

Hallelujah! Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him in His mighty heavens.

Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him for His excellent greatness.

Praise Him with the sound of the horn; praise Him with the harp and lyre.

Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute.

Praise Him with clashing cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Hallelujah!

SECOND READING

1 John 3:10-16

Verse 10. By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother. Verse 11. This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Verse 12. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. Verse 13. So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you. Verse 14. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. Verse 15. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. Verse 16. By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.