Proper 14 (19) — Open Word

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33

Verse 5. Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake.” And all the people heard the king’s orders to each of the commanders regarding Absalom. Verse 6. So David’s army marched into the field to engage Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. Verse 7. There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the slaughter was great that day— twenty thousand men. Verse 8. The battle spread over the whole countryside, and that day the forest devoured more people than the sword. Verse 9. Now Absalom was riding on his mule when he met the servants of David, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, so that he was suspended in midair. Verse 15. And ten young men who carried Joab’s armor surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him. Verse 31. Just then the Cushite came and said, “May my lord the king hear the good news: Today the LORD has avenged you of all who rose up against you!” Verse 32. The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom all right?” And the Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you to harm you be like that young man.” Verse 33. The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

PSALM

Psalm 130

A song of ascents. Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD!

O Lord, hear my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my plea for mercy.

If You, O LORD, kept track of iniquities, then who, O Lord, could stand?

But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be feared.

I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope.

My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning— more than watchmen wait for the morning.

O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is loving devotion, and with Him is redemption in abundance.

And He will redeem Israel from all iniquity.

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

1 Kings 19:4-8

Verse 4. while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” Verse 5. Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” Verse 6. And he looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. Verse 7. A second time the angel of the LORD returned and touched him, saying, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” Verse 8. So he got up and ate and drank. And strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

PSALM

Psalm 34:1-8

Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, so that the king drove him away. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.

My soul boasts in the LORD; let the oppressed hear and rejoice.

Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together.

I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.

This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

SECOND READING

Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Text not available in the Berean Standard Bible.

GOSPEL

John 6:35, 41-51

Verse 35. Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst. Verse 41. At this, the Jews began to grumble about Jesus because He had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” Verse 42. They were asking, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then can He say, ‘I have come down from heaven’ ?” Verse 43. “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus replied. Verse 44. “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. Verse 45. It is written in the Prophets: ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to Me — Verse 46. not that anyone has seen the Father except the One who is from God; only He has seen the Father. Verse 47. Truly, truly, I tell you, he who believes has eternal life. Verse 48. I am the bread of life. Verse 49. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. Verse 50. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die. Verse 51. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.”