Open Word

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

2 Samuel 5:11-16

Verse 11. Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. Verse 12. And David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel. Verse 13. After he had arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. Verse 14. These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Verse 15. Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Verse 16. Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

PSALM

Psalm 21

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, the king rejoices in Your strength. How greatly he exults in Your salvation!

You have granted his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.

For You welcomed him with rich blessings; You placed on his head a crown of pure gold.

He asked You for life, and You granted it— length of days, forever and ever.

Great is his glory in Your salvation; You bestow on him splendor and majesty.

For You grant him blessings forever; You cheer him with joy in Your presence.

For the king trusts in the LORD; through the loving devotion of the Most High, he will not be shaken.

Your hand will apprehend all Your enemies; Your right hand will seize those who hate You.

You will place them in a fiery furnace at the time of Your appearing. In His wrath the LORD will engulf them, and the fire will consume them.

You will wipe their descendants from the earth, and their offspring from the sons of men.

Though they intend You harm, the schemes they devise will not prevail.

For You will put them to flight when Your bow is trained upon them.

Be exalted, O LORD, in Your strength; we will sing and praise Your power.

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 16:1-13

Verse 1. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Verse 2. “You must not marry or have sons or daughters in this place.” Verse 3. For this is what the LORD says concerning the sons and daughters born in this place, and the mothers who bore them, and the fathers who fathered them in this land: Verse 4. “They will die from deadly diseases. They will not be mourned or buried, but will lie like dung on the ground. They will be finished off by sword and famine, and their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and beasts of the earth.” Verse 5. Indeed, this is what the LORD says: “Do not enter a house where there is a funeral meal. Do not go to mourn or show sympathy, for I have removed from this people My peace, My loving devotion, and My compassion,” declares the LORD. Verse 6. “Both great and small will die in this land. They will not be buried or mourned, nor will anyone cut himself or shave his head for them. Verse 7. No food will be offered to comfort those who mourn the dead; not even a cup of consolation will be given for the loss of a father or mother. Verse 8. You must not enter a house where there is feasting and sit down with them to eat and drink. Verse 9. For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: I am going to remove from this place, before your very eyes and in your days, the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom. Verse 10. When you tell these people all these things, they will ask you, ‘Why has the LORD pronounced all this great disaster against us? What is our iniquity? What is the sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?’ Verse 11. Then you are to answer them: ‘It is because your fathers have forsaken Me, declares the LORD, and followed other gods, and served and worshiped them. They abandoned Me and did not keep My instruction. Verse 12. And you have done more evil than your fathers. See how each of you follows the stubbornness of his evil heart instead of obeying Me. Verse 13. So I will cast you out of this land into a land that neither you nor your fathers have known. There you will serve other gods day and night, for I will show you no favor.’

PSALM

Psalm 119:81-88

My soul faints for Your salvation; I wait for Your word.

My eyes fail, looking for Your promise; I ask, “When will You comfort me?”

Though I am like a wineskin dried up by smoke, I do not forget Your statutes.

How many days must Your servant wait? When will You execute judgment on my persecutors?

The arrogant have dug pits for me in violation of Your law.

All Your commandments are faithful; I am persecuted without cause— help me!

They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken Your precepts.

Revive me according to Your loving devotion, that I may obey the testimony of Your mouth.

SECOND READING

James 5:7-12

Verse 7. Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil — how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. Verse 8. You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. Verse 9. Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door! Verse 10. Brothers, as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Verse 11. See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. Verse 12. Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.