Open Word

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

2 Kings 3:4-20

Verse 4. Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he would render to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams. Verse 5. But after the death of Ahab, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. Verse 6. So at that time King Jehoram set out from Samaria and mobilized all Israel. Verse 7. And he sent a message to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?” “I will go,” replied Jehoshaphat. “I am as you are, my people are your people, and my horses are your horses.” Verse 8. Then he asked, “Which way shall we go up?” “By way of the Desert of Edom,” replied Joram. Verse 9. So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom set out, and after they had traveled a roundabout route for seven days, they had no water for their army or for their animals. Verse 10. “Alas,” said the king of Israel, “for the LORD has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab!” Verse 11. But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah. ” Verse 12. Jehoshaphat affirmed, “The word of the LORD is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him. Verse 13. Elisha, however, said to the king of Israel, “What have we to do with each other? Go to the prophets of your father and of your mother!” “No,” replied the king of Israel, “for it is the LORD who has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” Verse 14. Then Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not for my regard for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or acknowledge you. Verse 15. But now, bring me a harpist. ” And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha Verse 16. and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’ Verse 17. For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink— you and your cattle and your animals.’ Verse 18. This is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD, and He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. Verse 19. And you shall attack every fortified city and every city of importance. You shall cut down every good tree, stop up every spring, and ruin every good field with stones.” Verse 20. The next morning, at the time of the morning sacrifice, water suddenly flowed from the direction of Edom and filled the land.

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

Jeremiah 3:15-18

Verse 15. Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Verse 16. “In those days, when you multiply and increase in the land,” declares the LORD, “they will no longer discuss the ark of the covenant of the LORD. It will never come to mind, and no one will remember it or miss it, nor will another one be made. Verse 17. At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all the nations will be gathered in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. They will no longer follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts. Verse 18. In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave to your fathers as an inheritance.

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

Ephesians 5:6-20

Verse 6. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. Verse 7. Therefore do not be partakers with them. Verse 8. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, Verse 9. for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Verse 10. Test and prove what pleases the Lord. Verse 11. Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Verse 12. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. Verse 13. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that is illuminated becomes a light itself. Verse 14. So it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Verse 15. Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, Verse 16. redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Verse 17. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Verse 18. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Verse 19. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, Verse 20. always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.