Open Word

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

Proverbs 1:20-33

Verse 20. Wisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; Verse 21. in the main concourse she cries aloud, at the city gates she makes her speech: Verse 22. “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? Verse 23. If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you. Verse 24. Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, Verse 25. because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction, Verse 26. in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you, Verse 27. when your dread comes like a storm, and your destruction like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overwhelm you. Verse 28. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me. Verse 29. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. Verse 30. They accepted none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof. Verse 31. So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. Verse 32. For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. Verse 33. But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil.”

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.

PSALM

Wisdom of Solomon 7:26 - 8:1

Text not available in the Berean Standard Bible.

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Verse 4. The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. Verse 5. The Lord GOD has opened My ears, and I have not been rebellious, nor have I turned back. Verse 6. I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle. Verse 7. Because the Lord GOD helps Me, I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame. Verse 8. The One who vindicates Me is near. Who will dare to contend with Me? Let us confront each other! Who has a case against Me? Let him approach Me! Verse 9. Surely the Lord GOD helps Me.

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

James 3:1-12

Verse 1. Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. Verse 2. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. Verse 3. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. Verse 4. Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined. Verse 5. In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. Verse 6. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. Verse 7. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, Verse 8. but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Verse 9. With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Verse 10. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! Verse 11. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? Verse 12. My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

GOSPEL

Mark 8:27-38

Verse 27. Then Jesus and His disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say I am?” Verse 28. They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” Verse 29. “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” Verse 30. And Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about Him. Verse 31. Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again. Verse 32. He spoke this message quite frankly, and Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. Verse 33. But Jesus, turning and looking at His disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Verse 34. Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples, and He told them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. Verse 35. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it. Verse 36. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Verse 37. Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? Verse 38. If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.”