Open Word

FIRST READING

Nehemiah 9:26-31

Verse 26. But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies. Verse 27. So You delivered them into the hands of enemies who oppressed them, and in their time of distress they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who saved them from the hands of their enemies. Verse 28. But as soon as they had rest, they again did evil in Your sight. So You abandoned them to the hands of their enemies, who had dominion over them. When they cried out to You again, You heard from heaven, and You delivered them many times in Your compassion. Verse 29. You admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They turned a stubborn shoulder; they stiffened their necks and would not obey. Verse 30. You were patient with them for many years, and Your Spirit admonished them through Your prophets. Yet they would not listen, so You gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples. Verse 31. But in Your great compassion, You did not put an end to them; nor did You forsake them, for You are a gracious and compassionate God.

PSALM

Psalm 25:1-10

Of David. To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul;

in You, my God, I trust. Do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.

Surely none who wait for You will be put to shame; but those who engage in treachery without cause will be disgraced.

Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.

Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and loving devotion, for they are from age to age.

Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my rebellious acts; remember me according to Your loving devotion, because of Your goodness, O LORD.

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He shows sinners the way.

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.

All the LORD’s ways are loving and faithful to those who keep His covenant and His decrees.

SECOND READING

Luke 21:20-24

Verse 20. But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. Verse 21. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. Verse 22. For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Verse 23. How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! For there will be great distress upon the land and wrath against this people. Verse 24. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.