Open Word

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

Hosea 4:1-19

Verse 1. Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! Verse 2. Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another. Verse 3. Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear. Verse 4. But let no man contend; let no man offer reproof; for your people are like those who contend with a priest. Verse 5. You will stumble by day, and the prophet will stumble with you by night; so I will destroy your mother — Verse 6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. Verse 7. The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace. Verse 8. They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity. Verse 9. And it shall be like people, like priest. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds. Verse 10. They will eat but not be satisfied; they will be promiscuous but not multiply. For they have abandoned the LORD to give themselves Verse 11. to promiscuity, wine, and new wine, which take away understanding. Verse 12. My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God. Verse 13. They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery. Verse 14. I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin. Verse 15. Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel, may Judah avoid such guilt! Do not journey to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear on oath, ‘As surely as the LORD lives!’ Verse 16. For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer. Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open meadow? Verse 17. Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone! Verse 18. When their liquor is gone, they turn to prostitution; their rulers dearly love disgrace. Verse 19. The whirlwind has wrapped them in its wings, and their sacrifices will bring them shame.[’’]

PSALM

Psalm 85

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. You showed favor to Your land, O LORD; You restored Jacob from captivity.

You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sin.

You withheld all Your fury; You turned from Your burning anger.

Restore us, O God of our salvation, and put away Your displeasure toward us.

Will You be angry with us forever? Will You draw out Your anger to all generations?

Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?

Show us Your loving devotion, O LORD, and grant us Your salvation.

I will listen to what God the LORD will say; for He will surely speak peace to His people and His saints; He will not let them return to folly.

Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.

Loving devotion and faithfulness have joined together; righteousness and peace have kissed.

Faithfulness sprouts from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.

The LORD will indeed provide what is good, and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before Him to prepare the way for His steps.

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Esther 2:19-3:6

Text not available in the Berean Standard Bible.

PSALM

Psalm 138

Of David. I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises.

I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else.

On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.

All the kings of the earth will give You thanks, O LORD, when they hear the words of Your mouth.

They will sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.

Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.

If I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve me from the anger of my foes; You extend Your hand, and Your right hand saves me.

The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. O LORD, Your loving devotion endures forever — do not abandon the works of Your hands.

SECOND READING

Acts 1:15-20

Verse 15. In those days Peter stood up among the brothers ( a gathering of about a hundred and twenty ) and said, Verse 16. “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus. Verse 17. He was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” Verse 18. (Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out. Verse 19. This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so they called that field in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) Verse 20. “For it is written in the book of Psalms: ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, ‘May another take his position.’