Wednesday in Season after Pentecost

1Verse 1. And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness. 2Verse 2. When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him, 3Verse 3. and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, 4Verse 4. the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: 5Verse 5. How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel! 6Verse 6. They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters. 7Verse 7. Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. 8Verse 8. God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows. 9Verse 9. He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness— who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.” 10Verse 10. Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times. 11Verse 11. Therefore , flee at once to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.” 12Verse 12. Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me 13Verse 13. that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I must speak whatever the LORD says. 14Verse 14. Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”

26Verse 26. In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27Verse 27. to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28Verse 28. The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. ” 29Verse 29. Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30Verse 30. So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31Verse 31. Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. 32Verse 32. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, 33Verse 33. and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!” 34Verse 34. “How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35Verse 35. The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. 36Verse 36. Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. 37Verse 37. For no word from God will ever fail. ” 38Verse 38. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.