Open Word

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 10:17-25

Verse 17. Gather up your belongings from this land, you who live under siege. Verse 18. For this is what the LORD says: “Behold, at this time I will sling out the inhabitants of the land and bring distress upon them so that they may be captured.” Verse 19. Woe to me because of my brokenness; my wound is grievous! But I said, “This is truly my sickness, and I must bear it.” Verse 20. My tent is destroyed, and all its ropes are snapped. My sons have departed from me and are no more. I have no one left to pitch my tent or set up my curtains. Verse 21. For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered. Verse 22. Listen! The sound of a report is coming — a great commotion from the land to the north. It will make the cities of Judah a desolation, a haunt for jackals. Verse 23. I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps. Verse 24. Correct me, O LORD, but only with justice — not in Your anger, or You will bring me to nothing. Verse 25. Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, and on the families that do not call on Your name. For they have devoured Jacob; they have consumed him and finished him off; they have devastated his homeland.

PSALM

Psalm 106:40-48

So the anger of the LORD burned against His people, and He abhorred His own inheritance.

He delivered them into the hand of the nations, and those who hated them ruled over them.

Their enemies oppressed them and subdued them under their hand.

Many times He rescued them, but they were bent on rebellion and sank down in their iniquity.

Nevertheless He heard their cry; He took note of their distress.

And He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion.

He made them objects of compassion to all who held them captive.

Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name, that we may glory in Your praise.

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, “Amen!” Hallelujah!

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Proverbs 21:10-16

Verse 10. The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. Verse 11. When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge. Verse 12. The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. Verse 13. Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer. Verse 14. A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath. Verse 15. Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity. Verse 16. The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.

PSALM

Psalm 12

For the choirmaster. According to Sheminith. A Psalm of David. Help, O LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.

They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.

May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.

They say, “With our tongues we will prevail. We own our lips— who can be our master?”

“For the cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will bring safety to him who yearns.”

The words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold.

You, O LORD, will keep us; You will forever guard us from this generation.

The wicked wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men.

SECOND READING

Luke 20:45-21:4

Verse 45. In the hearing of all the people, Jesus said to His disciples, Verse 46. “Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. Verse 47. They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.” Verse 1. Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, Verse 2. and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. Verse 3. “Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. Verse 4. For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”