Open Word

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 4:1-4

Verse 1. “If you will return, O Israel, return to Me,” declares the LORD. “If you will remove your detestable idols from My sight and no longer waver, Verse 2. and if you can swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then the nations will be blessed by Him, and in Him they will glory.” Verse 3. For this is what the LORD says to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: “Break up your unplowed ground, and do not sow among the thorns. Verse 4. Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and remove the foreskins of your hearts, O men of Judah and people of Jerusalem. Otherwise, My wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it, because of your evil deeds.”

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

Luke 11:14-23

Verse 14. One day Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. And when the demon was gone, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowds were amazed, Verse 15. but some of them said, “It is by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons, that He drives out demons.” Verse 16. And others tested Him by demanding a sign from heaven. Verse 17. Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and a house divided against a house will fall. Verse 18. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? After all, you say that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. Verse 19. And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. Verse 20. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Verse 21. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are secure. Verse 22. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted, and then he divides up his plunder. Verse 23. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.