Open Word

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

Proverbs 21:1-17

Verse 1. The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases. Verse 2. All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. Verse 3. To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. Verse 4. Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the guides of the wicked— are sin. Verse 5. The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty. Verse 6. Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit. Verse 7. The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just. Verse 8. The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. Verse 9. Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Verse 10. The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. Verse 11. When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge. Verse 12. The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. Verse 13. Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer. Verse 14. A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath. Verse 15. Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity. Verse 16. The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. Verse 17. He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.

PSALM

Psalm 19

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

Without speech or language, without a sound to be heard,

their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun.

Like a bridegroom emerging from his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course,

it rises at one end of the heavens and runs its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.

The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous.

They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

By them indeed Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward.

Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.

Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgression.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Joshua 6:22-27

Verse 22. Meanwhile, Joshua told the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the house of the prostitute and bring out the woman and all who are with her, just as you promised her.” Verse 23. So the young spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother and brothers, and all who belonged to her. They brought out her whole family and settled them outside the camp of Israel. Verse 24. Then the Israelites burned up the city and everything in it. However, they put the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the LORD’s house. Verse 25. And Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her father’s household and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent to spy out Jericho. So she has lived among the Israelites to this day. Verse 26. At that time Joshua invoked this solemn oath: “Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho; at the cost of his firstborn he will lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates.” Verse 27. So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land.

PSALM

Psalm 116:1-9

I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice — my appeal for mercy.

Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.

The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow.

Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, deliver my soul!”

The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

The LORD preserves the simplehearted; I was helpless, and He saved me.

Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.

For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.

I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

SECOND READING

Matthew 21:23-32

Verse 23. When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?” Verse 24. “I will also ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. Verse 25. What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ Verse 26. But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.” Verse 27. So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. Verse 28. But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ Verse 29. ‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went. Verse 30. Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go. Verse 31. Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first, ” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. Verse 32. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.