Morning Prayer Readings
Wednesday after Trinity 20

The First Lesson
The Second Lesson
The Collect
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An Independent Traditional 1928 BCP Ministry

The Psalter


Psalm 127


The One Hundred Twenty Seventh Psalm

Nisi Dominus.


EXCEPT the LORD build the house, * their labour is but lost that build it.
 
Except the LORD keep the city, * the watchman waketh but in vain.
 
It is but lost labour that ye haste to rise up early, and so late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness; * for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
 
Lo, children, and the fruit of the womb, * are an heritage and gift that cometh of the LORD.
 
Like as the arrows in the hand of the giant, * even so are the young children.
 
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them; * they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.


Psalm 130


The One Hundred Thirtieth Psalm

De profundis.


OUT of the deep have I called unto thee, O LORD; * Lord, hear my voice.
 
O let thine ears consider well * the voice of my complaint.
 
If thou, LORD, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, * O Lord, who may abide it?
 
For there is mercy with thee; * therefore shalt thou be feared.
 
I look for the LORD; my soul doth wait for him; * in his word is my trust.
 
My soul fleeth unto the Lord before the morning watch; * I say, before the morning watch.
 
O Israel, trust in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy, * and with him is plenteous redemption.
 
And he shall redeem Israel * from all his sins.



 

The First Lesson


II Kings 4:25b - 37


And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me? Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her. And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord. And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.



 

The Second Lesson

I Timothy 5:1-16

Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan. If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.



 

The Collect

Twentienth Sunday after Trinity

O ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, of thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things which thou commandest; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.



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