Open Word

FIRST READING

Isaiah 5:15-24

Verse 15. So mankind will be brought low, and each man humbled; the arrogant will lower their eyes. Verse 16. But the LORD of Hosts will be exalted by His justice, and the holy God will show Himself holy in righteousness. Verse 17. Lambs will graze as in their own pastures, and strangers will feed in the ruins of the wealthy. Verse 18. Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of deceit and pull sin along with cart ropes, Verse 19. to those who say, “Let Him hurry and hasten His work so that we may see it! Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come so that we may know it!” Verse 20. Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. Verse 21. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. Verse 22. Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and champions in mixing strong drink, Verse 23. who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice. Verse 24. Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes the straw, and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will decay and their blossoms will blow away like dust; for they have rejected the instruction of the LORD of Hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

PSALM

Psalm 29

A Psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is heard over many waters.

The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.

The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon.

He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the LORD strikes with flames of fire.

The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in His temple all cry, “Glory!”

The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.

The LORD gives His people strength; the LORD blesses His people with peace.

SECOND READING

John 15:18-20, 26-27

Verse 18. If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. Verse 19. If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. Verse 20. Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. Verse 26. When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father — the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father — He will testify about Me. Verse 27. And you also must testify, because you have been with Me from the beginning.[’’]