Open Word

FIRST READING

Amos 8:11-13

Verse 11. Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land — not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Verse 12. People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it. Verse 13. In that day the lovely young women — the young men as well — will faint from thirst.

PSALM

Psalm 22:25-31

My praise for You resounds in the great assembly; I will fulfill my vows before those who fear You.

The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise Him. May your hearts live forever!

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him.

For dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations.

All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before Him— even those unable to preserve their lives.

Posterity will serve Him; they will declare the Lord to a new generation.

They will come and proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn — all that He has done.

SECOND READING

Acts 8:9-25

Verse 9. Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, Verse 10. and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.” Verse 11. They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery. Verse 12. But when they believed Philip as he preached the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Verse 13. Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed. Verse 14. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. Verse 15. On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. Verse 16. For the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Verse 17. Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Verse 18. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. Verse 19. “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Verse 20. But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! Verse 21. You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Verse 22. Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart. Verse 23. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.” Verse 24. Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” Verse 25. And after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many of the Samaritan villages.