Daily readings
Vespers
OT
— Composite 8 - Isaiah 40, 41, 45, 48, 54
Thus says the Lord: Comfort, comfort my people, says God. Priests, speak to the heart of Jerusalem. Comfort her, because her humiliation has been completed; for her has sin has been abolished, because she has received from the Lord’s hand double for her sins. A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight the paths of our God. Every valley will be filled and every mountain and hill made low; what is crooked will become straight, and the rough ways will be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Go up onto a high mountain, you who bring good tidings to Sion; lift up your voice with strength, you who bring good tidings to Jerusalem. Lift it up, do not be afraid. I the Lord God, I, the God of Israel, will hearken and will not forsake them; but I will open rivers from the mountains and springs in the middle of plains. I will turn the wilderness into water meadows and the thirsty earth with water courses. Let the heavens rejoice from on high and let the clouds rain justice. Let the earth sprout and blossom with mercy and justice. Announce a voice of gladness to the end of the earth and let this be heard: Say that the Lord has delivered his servant Jacob. And if they thirst through deserts, he will bring water for them from a rock. Rejoice you barren who have never given birth, break out and shout, you who have never known birth pangs, for the children of the deserted are more than those of her who has a husband.
Vespers
OT
— Composite 9 - Malachi 3, 4
Thus says the Lord Almighty: See, I am sending my Angel, my messenger, before your face, who will prepare your way before you. And the Lord whom you seek will come to his temple. And who will endure the day of his entrance? And who will withstand at his appearing? Because he will enter like fire in a smelting furnace and like the lye of launderers. And he will come to you in judgement; and he will be a swift witness against the wicked and against adulteresses and against those swear falsely in his name and those who do not fear him, says the Lord Almighty. Because I am the Lord your God, and I have not changed and you, children of Jacob, have perverted the laws and not kept them. Therefore turn back to me and I will turn back to you, says the Lord Almighty. And all the nations will call you blessed and you will know that I am the Lord who discern between just and lawless on the day on which I make a peculiar possession of those who love me. Know then and remember the law of Moses my servant, as I gave him commandment on Horeb, to all Israel ordinances and judgements. And see, I will send you Elias the Thesbite, before the great and manifest day of the Lord comes; he will turn again the heart of father to son and of a man to his neighbour, lest when I come I smite the earth grievously, says the Lord Almighty, God the Holy One of Israel.
Vespers
OT
— Composite 3 - Wisdom of Solomon 4, 5
A just man if he comes to his end will be at rest. A just man who dies will condemn the ungodly who are alive; for they will see the end of a just man and will not understand what they counselled concerning him. For the Lord will break the ungodly, render them voiceless and cast them headlong, and he will shake them from the foundations and they will be utterly worsted in sorrow, and their memory shall perish. They shall come with fear at the accounting of their sins, and their iniquities will convict them to their face. Then the just will stand with much boldness in the face of those who afflicted him and made his toils of no account. When they see this they will be troubled with great fear and will be amazed at the wonder of his salvation. For they will say as they repent and with anguish they will groan and say: Is this he whom we fools once made a laughing stock and a byword of reproach? We reckoned his life folly and his end dishonour. How has he been numbered among the children of God and his lot with the Saints? Therefore we have erred from the way of truth and the light of righteousness has not shone on us and the sun has not dawned on us. We have been filled with paths of lawlessness and destruction and journeyed through trackless paths, but have not known the way of the Lord.
Matins Gospel
Luke
— Luke 7.17-30
17And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judæa, and throughout all the region round about.
17And this report went forth concerning him in the whole of Judæa, and all the region round about.
18And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.
18And the disciples of John told him of all these things.
19And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
19And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to the Lord, saying, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?
20When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
20And when the men were come unto him, they said, John the Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?
21In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and on many that were blind he bestowed sight.
21And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
22And he answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye have seen and heard; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good tidings preached to them.
22Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
23And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
23And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me.
24And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
24And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?
25But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts.
25But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts.
26But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
26But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
27This is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee.
27This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
28I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
28For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
29And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
29And all the people when they heard, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
30But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected for themselves the counsel of God, being not baptized of him.
30But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
Epistle
weekly cycle
Acts
— Acts 9.20-31
20And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
20And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God.
21But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
21And all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that in Jerusalem made havoc of them that called on this name? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests.
22But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
22But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
23And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
23And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him:
24but their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night that they might kill him:
24But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
25Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
25but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.
26And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
26And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
27But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
27But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
28And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
28And he was with them going in and going out at Jerusalem,
29And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
29preaching boldly in the name of the Lord: and he spake and disputed against the Grecian Jews; but they were seeking to kill him.
30And when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Cæsarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
30Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Cæsarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
31So the church throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.
31Then had the churches rest throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
Epistle
— Forerunner
2 Corinthians
— 2 Corinthians 4.6-15
6Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair;
8We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed;
9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
10always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body.
11For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
11For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
12So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak;
13We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14knowing that he that raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you.
14Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God.
15For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
Gospel
weekly cycle
John
— John 15.17-16.2
17These things I command you, that ye love one another.
17These things I command you, that ye may love one another.
18If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
18If the world hateth you, ye know that it hath hated me before it hated you.
19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
19If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
20Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.
21But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
21But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin.
22If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
23He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
23He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
24If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
24If I had not done among them the works which none other did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
25But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
25But this cometh to pass, that the word may be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall bear witness of me:
26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
27and ye also bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be caused to stumble.
2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God.
2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
Gospel
— Forerunner
Matthew
— Matthew 11.2-15
2Now when John heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent by his disciples
2Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
3And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
3and said unto him, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?
4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye hear and see:
4Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
5The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
5the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good tidings preached to them.
6And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
6And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me.
7And as these went their way, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?
7And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
8But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
8But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft raiment are in kings’ houses.
9But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
9But wherefore went ye out? to see a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
10For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
10This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee.
11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force.
13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
14And if ye are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, that is to come.
15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.