Open Word

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 3:1-5

Verse 1. “If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Would not such a land be completely defiled? But you have played the harlot with many lovers — and you would return to Me?” Verse 2. “Lift up your eyes to the barren heights and see. Is there any place where you have not been violated? You sat beside the highways waiting for your lovers, like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled the land with your prostitution and wickedness. Verse 3. Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to be ashamed. Verse 4. Have you not just called to Me, ‘My Father, You are my friend from youth. Verse 5. Will He be angry forever? Will He be indignant to the end?’ This you have spoken, but you keep doing all the evil you can.”

PSALM

Psalm 36:5-10

Your loving devotion, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the clouds.

Your righteousness is like the highest mountains; Your judgments are like the deepest sea. O LORD, You preserve man and beast.

How precious is Your loving devotion, O God, that the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings!

They feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from Your river of delights.

For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.

Extend Your loving devotion to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in heart.

SECOND READING

Acts 8:18-24

Verse 18. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. Verse 19. “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Verse 20. But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! Verse 21. You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Verse 22. Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart. Verse 23. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.” Verse 24. Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”