Sunday, 25 May 2025

OT — Composite 8 - Isaiah 40, 41, 45, 48, 54

OT — Composite 9 - Malachi 3, 4

OT — Composite 3 - Wisdom of Solomon 4, 5

John — John 20.11-18

¹¹But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

¹¹But Mary was standing without at the tomb weeping: so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; ¹²And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. ¹²and she beholdeth two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. ¹³And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. ¹³And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. ¹⁴And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. ¹⁴When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and beholdeth Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. ¹⁵Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. ¹⁵Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. ¹⁶Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. ¹⁶Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turneth herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew, Rabboni; which is to say, Teacher. ¹⁷Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father: but go unto my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God. ¹⁷Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. ¹⁸Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. ¹⁸Mary Magdalene cometh and telleth the disciples, I have seen the Lord; and that he had said these things unto her.

Acts — Acts 16.16-34

¹⁶And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

¹⁶And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. ¹⁷The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. ¹⁷The same following after Paul and us cried out, saying, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation. ¹⁸And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. ¹⁸And this she did for many days. But Paul, being sore troubled, turned and said to the spirit, I charge thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out that very hour.

¹⁹And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

¹⁹But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers, ²⁰and when they had brought them unto the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, ²⁰And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, ²¹and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans. ²¹And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. ²²And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. ²²And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods. ²³And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: ²³And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: ²⁴who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. ²⁴Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. ²⁵But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them;

²⁵And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. ²⁶And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. ²⁶and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened; and every one’s bands were loosed. ²⁷And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. ²⁷And the jailor, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. ²⁸But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. ²⁹Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, ²⁹And he called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, ³⁰And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? ³⁰and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? ³¹And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. ³¹And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house. ³²And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. ³²And they spake the word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house. ³³And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. ³³And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately. ³⁴And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. ³⁴And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God.

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.

John — John 9.1-38

¹And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

¹And as he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. ²And his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind? ²And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? ³Jesus answered, Neither did this man sin, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. ³Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. ⁴I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. ⁴We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. ⁵As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. ⁵When I am in the world, I am the light of the world. ⁶When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, ⁶When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay, ⁷and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent). He went away therefore, and washed, and came seeing. ⁷And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

⁸The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? ⁸The neighbors therefore, and they that saw him aforetime, that he was a beggar, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? ⁹Others said, It is he: others said, No, but he is like him. He said, I am he. ⁹Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. ¹⁰Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? ¹⁰They said therefore unto him, How then were thine eyes opened? ¹¹He answered, The man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to Siloam, and wash: so I went away and washed, and I received sight. ¹¹He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. ¹²And they said unto him, Where is he? He saith, I know not. ¹²Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.

¹³They bring to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.

¹³They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. ¹⁴Now it was the sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. ¹⁴And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. ¹⁵Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. ¹⁵Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. And he said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and I see. ¹⁶Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. ¹⁶Some therefore of the Pharisees said, This man is not from God, because he keepeth not the sabbath. But others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such signs? And there was a division among them. ¹⁷They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. ¹⁷They say therefore unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, in that he opened thine eyes? And he said, He is a prophet. ¹⁸But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. ¹⁸The Jews therefore did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight, ¹⁹And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? ¹⁹and asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? ²⁰His parents answered and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: ²⁰His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: ²¹but how he now seeth, we know not; or who opened his eyes, we know not: ask him; he is of age; he shall speak for himself. ²¹But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. ²²These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. ²²These things said his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man should confess him to be Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. ²³Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. ²³Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. ²⁴Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. ²⁴So they called a second time the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give glory to God: we know that this man is a sinner. ²⁵He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. ²⁵He therefore answered, Whether he is a sinner, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. ²⁶They said therefore unto him, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? ²⁶Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? ²⁷He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? ²⁷He answered them, I told you even now, and ye did not hear; wherefore would ye hear it again? would ye also become his disciples? ²⁸Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples. ²⁸And they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are disciples of Moses. ²⁹We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. ²⁹We know that God hath spoken unto Moses: but as for this man, we know not whence he is. ³⁰The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. ³⁰The man answered and said unto them, Why, herein is the marvel, that ye know not whence he is, and yet he opened mine eyes. ³¹We know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and do his will, him he heareth. ³¹Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. ³²Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. ³²Since the world began it was never heard that any one opened the eyes of a man born blind. ³³If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. ³³If this man were not from God, he could do nothing. ³⁴They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. ³⁴They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. ³⁵Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?

³⁵Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and finding him, he said, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? ³⁶He answered and said, And who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him? ³⁶He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? ³⁷And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. ³⁷Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and he it is that speaketh with thee. ³⁸And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. ³⁸And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

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.