Wednesday in Season after Pentecost

FIRST READING

Proverbs 14:1-9

Verse 1. Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. Verse 2. He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him. Verse 3. The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. Verse 4. Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox. Verse 5. An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies. Verse 6. A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. Verse 7. Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. Verse 8. The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them. Verse 9. Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.

PSALM

Psalm 73:1-20

A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.

For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed.

They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.

Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.

From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.

They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.

They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.

So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance.

The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”

Behold, these are the wicked — always carefree as they increase their wealth.

Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.

For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.

If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.

When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight

until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.

Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.

How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!

Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.

SECOND READING

Matthew 17:14-21

Verse 14. When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus and knelt before Him. Verse 15. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. Verse 16. I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not heal him.” Verse 17. “O unbelieving and perverse generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to Me.” Verse 18. Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment. Verse 19. Afterward the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” Verse 20. “Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”