Open Word

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

2 Kings 2:15-22

Verse 15. When the sons of the prophets who were watching him from Jericho saw what had happened, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed down to the ground before him. Verse 16. “Look now,” they said to Elisha, “we your servants have fifty valiant men. Please let them go and search for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and put him on one of the mountains or in one of the valleys.” “Do not send them,” Elisha replied. Verse 17. But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah. Verse 18. When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you not to go?” Verse 19. Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please note, our lord, that the city’s location is good, as you can see. But the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.” Verse 20. “Bring me a new bowl,” he replied, “and put some salt in it.” So they brought it to him, Verse 21. and Elisha went out to the spring, cast the salt into it, and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. No longer will it cause death or unfruitfulness. ’” Verse 22. And the waters there have been healthy to this day, according to the word spoken by Elisha.

PSALM

Psalm 75

For the choirmaster: To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Psalm of Asaph. A song. We give thanks to You, O God; we give thanks, for Your Name is near. The people declare Your wondrous works.

“When I choose a time, I will judge fairly.

When the earth and all its dwellers quake, it is I who bear up its pillars.

I say to the proud, ‘Do not boast,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn.

Do not lift up your horn against heaven or speak with an outstretched neck.’”

For exaltation comes neither from east nor west, nor out of the desert,

but it is God who judges; He brings down one and exalts another.

For a cup is in the hand of the LORD, full of foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours from His cup, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to the dregs.

But I will proclaim Him forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.

“All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous will be exalted.”

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Genesis 24:34-41, 50-67

Verse 34. “I am Abraham’s servant,” he replied. Verse 35. “The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and donkeys. Verse 36. My master’s wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and my master has given him everything he owns. Verse 37. My master made me swear an oath and said, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell, Verse 38. but you shall go to my father’s house and to my kindred to take a wife for my son.’ Verse 39. Then I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not come back with me?’ Verse 40. And he told me, ‘The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send His angel with you and make your journey a success, so that you may take a wife for my son from my kindred and from my father’s house. Verse 41. And when you go to my kindred, if they refuse to give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’ Verse 50. Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the LORD; we have no choice in the matter. Verse 51. Rebekah is here before you. Take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, just as the LORD has decreed.” Verse 52. When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD. Verse 53. Then he brought out jewels of silver and gold, and articles of clothing, and he gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and her mother. Verse 54. Then he and the men with him ate and drank and spent the night there. When they got up the next morning, he said, “Send me on my way to my master.” Verse 55. But her brother and mother said, “Let the girl remain with us ten days or so. After that, she may go.” Verse 56. But he replied, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has made my journey a success. Send me on my way so that I may go to my master.” Verse 57. So they said, “We will call the girl and ask her opinion.” Verse 58. They called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?” “I will go,” she replied. Verse 59. So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. Verse 60. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.” Verse 61. Then Rebekah and her servant girls got ready, mounted the camels, and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left. Verse 62. Now Isaac had just returned from Beer-lahai-roi, for he was living in the Negev. Verse 63. Early in the evening, Isaac went out to the field to meditate, and looking up, he saw the camels approaching. Verse 64. And when Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac, she got down from her camel Verse 65. and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?” “It is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself. Verse 66. Then the servant told Isaac all that he had done. Verse 67. And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death.

PSALM

Psalm 140

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,

who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.

They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips.

Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble.

The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me.

I say to the LORD, “You are my God.” Hear, O LORD, my cry for help.

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle.

Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not promote their evil plans, lest they be exalted.

May the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused.

May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into the miry pits, never to rise again.

May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.

I know that the LORD upholds justice for the poor and defends the cause of the needy.

Surely the righteous will praise Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.

SECOND READING

1 John 2:7-11

Verse 7. Beloved, I am not writing to you a new commandment, but an old one, which you have had from the beginning. This commandment is the message you have heard. Verse 8. Then again, I am also writing to you a new commandment, which is true in Him and also in you. For the darkness is fading and the true light is already shining. Verse 9. If anyone claims to be in the light but hates his brother, he is still in the darkness. Verse 10. Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him. Verse 11. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.