Open Word

FIRST READING

Isaiah 43:8-15

Verse 8. Bring out a people who have eyes but are blind, and who have ears but are deaf. Verse 9. All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and proclaim to us the former things? Let them present their witnesses to vindicate them, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.” Verse 10. “You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may consider and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, and after Me none will come. Verse 11. I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no Savior but Me. Verse 12. I alone decreed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. So you are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God. Verse 13. Even from eternity I am He, and none can deliver out of My hand. When I act, who can reverse it?” Verse 14. Thus says the LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake, I will send to Babylon and bring them all as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice. Verse 15. I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, and your King.”

PSALM

Psalm 126

A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers.

Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

The LORD has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Restore our captives, O LORD, like streams in the Negev.

Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.

He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.

SECOND READING

Philippians 2:25-3:1

Verse 25. But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs. Verse 26. For he has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Verse 27. He was sick indeed, nearly unto death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Verse 28. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less anxious. Verse 29. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, Verse 30. because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for your deficit of service to me. Verse 1. Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.