Open Word

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 17:5-10

Verse 5. This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes mere flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD. Verse 6. He will be like a shrub in the desert; he will not see when prosperity comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. Verse 7. But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. Verse 8. He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit. Verse 9. The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Verse 10. I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.

PSALM

Psalm 1

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.

Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

SECOND READING

1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Verse 12. But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? Verse 13. If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. Verse 14. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith. Verse 15. In that case, we are also exposed as false witnesses about God. For we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead, but He did not raise Him if in fact the dead are not raised. Verse 16. For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised. Verse 17. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Verse 18. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. Verse 19. If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men. Verse 20. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

GOSPEL

Luke 6:17-26

Verse 17. Then Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of His disciples was there, along with a great number of people from all over Judea, Jerusalem, and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon. Verse 18. They had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases, and those troubled by unclean spirits were healed. Verse 19. The entire crowd was trying to touch Him, because power was coming from Him and healing them all. Verse 20. Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Verse 21. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Verse 22. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. Verse 23. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way. Verse 24. But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Verse 25. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Verse 26. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers treated the false prophets in the same way.