Epiphany

Thursday in Epiphany

Thursday, February 3, 2028

FIRST READING

Numbers 20:22-29

Verse 22. After they had set out from Kadesh, the whole congregation of Israel came to Mount Hor. Verse 23. And at Mount Hor, near the border of the land of Edom, the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, Verse 24. “Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will not enter the land that I have given the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah. Verse 25. Take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up Mount Hor. Verse 26. Remove Aaron’s priestly garments and put them on his son Eleazar. Aaron will be gathered to his people and will die there.” Verse 27. So Moses did as the LORD had commanded, and they climbed Mount Hor in the sight of the whole congregation. Verse 28. After Moses had removed Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar, Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. Verse 29. When the whole congregation saw that Aaron had died, the entire house of Israel mourned for him thirty days.

PSALM

Psalm 138

Verse 1. Of David. I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises.
Verse 2. I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else.
Verse 3. On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.
Verse 4. All the kings of the earth will give You thanks, O LORD, when they hear the words of Your mouth.
Verse 5. They will sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.
Verse 6. Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.
Verse 7. If I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve me from the anger of my foes; You extend Your hand, and Your right hand saves me.
Verse 8. The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. O LORD, Your loving devotion endures forever — do not abandon the works of Your hands.

SECOND READING

Acts 9:19b-25

Verse 19. And he spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. Verse 20. Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.” Verse 21. All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” Verse 22. But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. Verse 23. After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, Verse 24. but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him. Verse 25. One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.