Open Word

FIRST READING

Ezekiel 1:1

Verse 1. In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was among the exiles by the River Kebar, the heavens opened and I saw visions of God.

PSALM

Psalm 35:11-28

Hostile witnesses come forward; they make charges I know nothing about.

They repay me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul.

Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered.

I paced about as for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for his mother.

But when I stumbled, they assembled in glee; they gathered together against me. Assailants I did not know slandered me without ceasing.

Like godless jesters at a feast, they gnashed their teeth at me.

How long, O Lord, will You look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.

Then I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.

Let not my enemies gloat over me without cause, nor those who hate me without reason wink in malice.

For they do not speak peace, but they devise deceitful schemes against those who live quietly in the land.

They gape at me and say, “Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen!”

O LORD, You have seen it; be not silent. O Lord, be not far from me.

Awake and rise to my defense, to my cause, my God and my Lord!

Vindicate me by Your righteousness, O LORD my God, and do not let them gloat over me.

Let them not say in their hearts, “Aha, just what we wanted!” Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up!”

May those who gloat in my distress be ashamed and confounded; may those who exalt themselves over me be clothed in shame and reproach.

May those who favor my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “Exalted be the LORD who delights in His servant’s well-being.”

Then my tongue will proclaim Your righteousness and Your praises all day long.

SECOND READING

2:1

Text not available in the Berean Standard Bible.

SECOND READING

Acts 10:23b-33

Verse 23. And the next day he got ready and went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa. Verse 24. The following day he arrived in Caesarea, where Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. Verse 25. As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet to worship him. Verse 26. But Peter helped him up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” Verse 27. As Peter talked with him, he went inside and found many people gathered together. Verse 28. He said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. Verse 29. So when I was invited, I came without objection. I ask, then, why have you sent for me?” Verse 30. Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this, the ninth hour. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me Verse 31. and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been remembered before God. Verse 32. Therefore send to Joppa for Simon, who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, by the sea.’ Verse 33. So I sent for you immediately, and you were kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has instructed you to tell us.”