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Daily Readings
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Wednesday, 14th March 2018 --- 5 Baramhat 1734
Readings for Wednesday of fifth week of Great Lent
Matins
Exodus 8 : 20 - end Exodus 9 : - 35 Isaiah 41 : 4 - 14 Joel 3 : 9 - 21 Job 28 : 12 - 28 Proverbs 4 : 10 - 19 1 Samuel 1 : 1 - end 1 Samuel 2 : 1 - 21
Exodus 8 : 20 - end
Chapter 8
| 20 | And the LORD said to Moses, "Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, "Thus says the LORD: "Let My people go, that they may serve Me.
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| 21 | Or else, if you will not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand.
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| 22 | And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the land.
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| 23 | I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be.'
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| 24 | And the LORD did so. Thick swarms of flies came into the house of Pharaoh, into his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt. The land was corrupted because of the swarms of flies.
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| 25 | Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God in the land."
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| 26 | And Moses said, "It is not right to do so, for we would be sacrificing the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God. If we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, then will they not stone us?
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| 27 | We will go three days' journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as He will command us."
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| 28 | So Pharaoh said, "I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Intercede for me."
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| 29 | Then Moses said, "Indeed I am going out from you, and I will entreat the LORD, that the swarms of flies may depart tomorrow from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. But let Pharaoh not deal deceitfully anymore in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD."
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| 30 | So Moses went out from Pharaoh and entreated the LORD.
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| 31 | And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. Not one remained.
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| 32 | But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would he let the people go.
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Exodus 9 : - 35
Chapter 9
| 1 | Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh and tell him, "Thus says the LORD God of the Hebrews: "Let My people go, that they may serve Me.
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| 2 | For if you refuse to let them go, and still hold them,
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| 3 | behold, the hand of the LORD will be on your cattle in the field, on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the oxen, and on the sheep--a very severe pestilence.
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| 4 | And the LORD will make a difference between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt. So nothing shall die of all that belongs to the children of Israel.'
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| 5 | Then the LORD appointed a set time, saying, "Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land."
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| 6 | So the LORD did this thing on the next day, and all the livestock of Egypt died; but of the livestock of the children of Israel, not one died.
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| 7 | Then Pharaoh sent, and indeed, not even one of the livestock of the Israelites was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh became hard, and he did not let the people go.
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| 8 | So the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Take for yourselves handfuls of ashes from a furnace, and let Moses scatter it toward the heavens in the sight of Pharaoh.
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| 9 | And it will become fine dust in all the land of Egypt, and it will cause boils that break out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt."
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| 10 | Then they took ashes from the furnace and stood before Pharaoh, and Moses scattered them toward heaven. And they caused boils that break out in sores on man and beast.
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| 11 | And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils were on the magicians and on all the Egyptians.
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| 12 | But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh; and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses.
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| 13 | Then the LORD said to Moses, "Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh, and say to him, "Thus says the LORD God of the Hebrews: "Let My people go, that they may serve Me,
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| 14 | for at this time I will send all My plagues to your very heart, and on your servants and on your people, that you may know that there is none like Me in all the earth.
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| 15 | Now if I had stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, then you would have been cut off from the earth.
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| 16 | But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.
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| 17 | As yet you exalt yourself against My people in that you will not let them go.
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| 18 | Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause very heavy hail to rain down, such as has not been in Egypt since its founding until now.
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| 19 | Therefore send now and gather your livestock and all that you have in the field, for the hail shall come down on every man and every animal which is found in the field and is not brought home; and they shall die.'
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| 20 | He who feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his livestock flee to the houses.
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| 21 | But he who did not regard the word of the LORD left his servants and his livestock in the field.
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| 22 | Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt--on man, on beast, and on every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt."
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| 23 | And Moses stretched out his rod toward heaven; and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire darted to the ground. And the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt.
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| 24 | So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, so very heavy that there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
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| 25 | And the hail struck throughout the whole land of Egypt, all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail struck every herb of the field and broke every tree of the field.
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| 26 | Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail.
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| 27 | And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "I have sinned this time. The LORD is righteous, and my people and I are wicked.
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| 28 | Entreat the LORD, that there may be no more mighty thundering and hail, for it is enough. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer."
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| 29 | So Moses said to him, "As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD; the thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, that you may know that the earth is the LORD's.
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| 30 | But as for you and your servants, I know that you will not yet fear the LORD God."
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| 31 | Now the flax and the barley were struck, for the barley was in the head and the flax was in bud.
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| 32 | But the wheat and the spelt were not struck, for they are late crops.
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| 33 | So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and spread out his hands to the LORD; then the thunder and the hail ceased, and the rain was not poured on the earth.
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| 34 | And when Pharaoh saw that the rain, the hail, and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet more; and he hardened his heart, he and his servants.
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| 35 | So the heart of Pharaoh was hard; neither would he let the children of Israel go, as the LORD had spoken by Moses.
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Isaiah 41 : 4 - 14
Chapter 41
| 4 | Who has performed and done it, Calling the generations from the beginning? "I, the LORD, am the first; And with the last I am He."'
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| 5 | The coastlands saw it and feared, The ends of the earth were afraid; They drew near and came.
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| 6 | Everyone helped his neighbor, And said to his brother, "Be of good courage!"
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| 7 | So the craftsman encouraged the goldsmith; He who smooths with the hammer inspired him who strikes the anvil, Saying, "It is ready for the soldering"; Then he fastened it with pegs, That it might not totter.
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| 8 | "But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend.
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| 9 | You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, "You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away:
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| 10 | Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
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| 11 | "Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish.
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| 12 | You shall seek them and not find them--Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing.
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| 13 | For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, "Fear not, I will help you.'
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| 14 | "Fear not, you worm Jacob, You men of Israel! I will help you," says the LORD And your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
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Joel 3 : 9 - 21
Chapter 3
| 9 | Proclaim this among the nations: "Prepare for war! Wake up the mighty men, Let all the men of war draw near, Let them come up.
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| 10 | Beat your plowshares into swords And your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, "I am strong."'
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| 11 | Assemble and come, all you nations, And gather together all around. Cause Your mighty ones to go down there, O LORD.
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| 12 | "Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.
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| 13 | Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, go down; For the winepress is full, The vats overflow--For their wickedness is great."
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| 14 | Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
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| 15 | The sun and moon will grow dark, And the stars will diminish their brightness.
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| 16 | The LORD also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; But the LORD will be a shelter for His people, And the strength of the children of Israel.
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| 17 | "So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, Dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. Then Jerusalem shall be holy, And no aliens shall ever pass through her again."
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| 18 | And it will come to pass in that day That the mountains shall drip with new wine, The hills shall flow with milk, And all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water; A fountain shall flow from the house of the LORD And water the Valley of Acacias.
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| 19 | "Egypt shall be a desolation, And Edom a desolate wilderness, Because of violence against the people of Judah, For they have shed innocent blood in their land.
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| 20 | But Judah shall abide forever, And Jerusalem from generation to generation.
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| 21 | For I will acquit them of the guilt of bloodshed, whom I had not acquitted; For the LORD dwells in Zion."
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Job 28 : 12 - 28
Chapter 28
| 12 | "But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
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| 13 | Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living.
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| 14 | The deep says, "It is not in me'; And the sea says, "It is not with me.'
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| 15 | It cannot be purchased for gold, Nor can silver be weighed for its price.
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| 16 | It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx or sapphire.
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| 17 | Neither gold nor crystal can equal it, Nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold.
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| 18 | No mention shall be made of coral or quartz, For the price of wisdom is above rubies.
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| 19 | The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, Nor can it be valued in pure gold.
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| 20 | "From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?
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| 21 | It is hidden from the eyes of all living, And concealed from the birds of the air.
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| 22 | Destruction and Death say, "We have heard a report about it with our ears.'
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| 23 | God understands its way, And He knows its place.
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| 24 | For He looks to the ends of the earth, And sees under the whole heavens,
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| 25 | To establish a weight for the wind, And apportion the waters by measure.
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| 26 | When He made a law for the rain, And a path for the thunderbolt,
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| 27 | Then He saw wisdom and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out.
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| 28 | And to man He said, "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding."'
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Proverbs 4 : 10 - 19
Chapter 4
| 10 | Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many.
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| 11 | I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.
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| 12 | When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.
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| 13 | Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.
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| 14 | Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil.
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| 15 | Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.
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| 16 | For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.
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| 17 | For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.
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| 18 | But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
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| 19 | The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.
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1 Samuel 1 : 1 - end
Chapter 1
| 1 | Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
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| 2 | And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
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| 3 | This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.
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| 4 | And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters.
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| 5 | But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the LORD had closed her womb.
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| 6 | And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the LORD had closed her womb.
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| 7 | So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.
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| 8 | Then Elkanah her husband said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?"
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| 9 | So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the LORD.
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| 10 | And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish.
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| 11 | Then she made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head."
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| 12 | And it happened, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth.
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| 13 | Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.
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| 14 | So Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!"
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| 15 | But Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.
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| 16 | Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now."
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| 17 | Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him."
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| 18 | And she said, "Let your maidservant find favor in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
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| 19 | Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.
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| 20 | So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked for him from the LORD."
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| 21 | Now the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and his vow.
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| 22 | But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "Not until the child is weaned; then I will take him, that he may appear before the LORD and remain there forever."
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| 23 | So Elkanah her husband said to her, "Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him. Only let the LORD establish His word." Then the woman stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him.
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| 24 | Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh. And the child was young.
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| 25 | Then they slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to Eli.
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| 26 | And she said, "O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the LORD.
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| 27 | For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.
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| 28 | Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD." So they worshiped the LORD there.
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1 Samuel 2 : 1 - 21
Chapter 2
| 1 | And Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation.
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| 2 | "No one is holy like the LORD, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.
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| 3 | "Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the LORD is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed.
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| 4 | "The bows of the mighty men are broken, And those who stumbled are girded with strength.
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| 5 | Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, And the hungry have ceased to hunger. Even the barren has borne seven, And she who has many children has become feeble.
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| 6 | "The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up.
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| 7 | The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up.
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| 8 | He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory. "For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, And He has set the world upon them.
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| 9 | He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. "For by strength no man shall prevail.
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| 10 | The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. "He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed."
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| 11 | Then Elkanah went to his house at Ramah. But the child ministered to the LORD before Eli the priest.
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| 12 | Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the LORD.
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| 13 | And the priests' custom with the people was that when any man offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three-pronged fleshhook in his hand while the meat was boiling.
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| 14 | Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; and the priest would take for himself all that the fleshhook brought up. So they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there.
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| 15 | Also, before they burned the fat, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who sacrificed, "Give meat for roasting to the priest, for he will not take boiled meat from you, but raw."
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| 16 | And if the man said to him, "They should really burn the fat first; then you may take as much as your heart desires," he would then answer him, "No, but you must give it now; and if not, I will take it by force."
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| 17 | Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
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| 18 | But Samuel ministered before the LORD, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod.
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| 19 | Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
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| 20 | And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, "The LORD give you descendants from this woman for the loan that was given to the LORD." Then they would go to their own home.
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| 21 | And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
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Matins
Matins Psalm
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 55 : 1 - 2
Chapter 55
| 1 | Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication.
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| 2 | Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily,
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Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen.
Matins Gospel
Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint Mark the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all.
Mark 10 : 1 - 12
Chapter 10
| 1 | Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again.
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| 2 | The Pharisees came and asked Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" testing Him.
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| 3 | And He answered and said to them, "What did Moses command you?"
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| 4 | They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her."
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| 5 | And Jesus answered and said to them, "Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.
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| 6 | But from the beginning of the creation, God "made them male and female.'
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| 7 | "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,
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| 8 | and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.
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| 9 | Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."
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| 10 | In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter.
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| 11 | So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.
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| 12 | And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."
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And Glory be to God forever.
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Liturgy Gospel
Paulines Epistle
Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God.
A reading from the Epistle of our teacher Paul to the Romans .
May his blessings be upon us.
Amen.
Romans 4 : 14 - end
Chapter 4
| 14 | For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect,
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| 15 | because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.
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| 16 | Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all
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| 17 | (as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations" ) in the presence of Him whom he believed--God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;
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| 18 | who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be."
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| 19 | And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb.
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| 20 | He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,
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| 21 | and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.
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| 22 | And therefore "it was accounted to him for righteousness."
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| 23 | Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him,
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| 24 | but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,
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| 25 | who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.
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Romans 5 : 1 - 5
Chapter 5
| 1 | Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
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| 2 | through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
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| 3 | And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
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| 4 | and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
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| 5 | Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
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The grace of God the Father be with you all.
Amen.
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Catholic Epistle
A Reading from Epistle 1 of St. Peter .
May his blessing be upon us.
Amen.
1 Peter 4 : 12 - 19
Chapter 4
| 12 | Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
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| 13 | but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
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| 14 | If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
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| 15 | But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.
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| 16 | Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
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| 17 | For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
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| 18 | Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
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| 19 | Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
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Do not love the world or the things in the world.
The world passes away, and its desires; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Amen.
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Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of our fathers the apostles, may their blessings be with us.
Acts 11 : 12 - 18
Chapter 11
| 12 | Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man's house.
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| 13 | And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, "Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter,
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| 14 | who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.'
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| 15 | And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.
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| 16 | Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, "John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'
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| 17 | If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"
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| 18 | When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."
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The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed, in the holy Church of God.
Amen.
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Synaxarium
Day 5 of the Blessed Coptic Month of Baramhat, may God make it always received, year after year, with reassurance and tranquility, while our sins after forgiven by the tender mercies of our God my fathers and brothers.
Amen.
The Fifth Day of the Blessed Month of Baramhat
Departure of Anba Serapamon, Archpriest
of Abba Yehnis (John) monastery
On this day the ascetic holy father
Anba Serapamon the Archpriest of Abu-Yehnis (John) monastery departed.
This Saint became a monk in his youth at the monastery of the saint Abu-Yehnis.
He stayed there for thirty two years in worshipping God and serving the
elders. Then he was promoted to be the archpriest (Hegomen) of the monastery
and was delegated to manage it. He added to his works of righteousness
and ascetism, and he spent his day fasting from the day of his monkshood
until the day of his departure. After spending twenty years in running
the monastery, he shut himself up in a church and no one saw him for a
period of ten years. During this period he only ate on Saturday and Sunday.
When the time of his departure drew near, the angel of the Lord appeared
to him in a vision and gave him a cross of fire saying: "Take this cross
in your hand". The saint replied: " How can I hold fire in my hands." The
angel said: "Do not be afraid for Christ have not given the fire dominion
over you." The Saint extended his hand and took the cross from the angel.
Then the angel told him: "Be strong, partake of the Holy Mysteries and
after three days I shall come and take you". When he woke up from his sleep,
he told the elders about his vision. They wept, bid him farewell, and asked
him to remember them. He asked them to remember him in their prayers. He
departed on the third day and the elders were around him.
May His prayers be with us. Amen.
Commemoration of the Martyrdom of St.Eudexia
(Eutychia)
On this day also is the
commemoration of St. Eudexia which is interpreted "happiness". This Saint
was Samaritan by race and religion, from the city of Baalbek. The name
of her father was Younan and the name of her mother was Hakeemah. She lived
her early life in immorality. With the beauty of her face and physical
appearance, she stumbled many and made them to fall into sin acquiring
thereby great wealth. A saintly monk from Jerusalem called Germanus heard
about her. He went to her, preached her with solemn and frightful words,
mentioning to her hell, worms, darkness, and the fearful punishments which
are therein. She asked him: "Does the body rise after death, and after
it becomes dust to be judged?" He replied "Yes". She asked him: "What are
the proofs on what you said, since the Torah that God gave to Moses the
prophet and my fathers did not mention this?" He explained to her with
biblical and logical proofs until she was convinced. She asked him: "If
I go back on my evil works would God accept me?" He replied: "If you believed
that the Lord Christ had come to the world, took away our sins by His Crucifixion,
repented now a sincere repentance, and been baptized, He will accept you,
and will not mention any of what you have done, but you will be as if you
just have been borne."
Her heart opened to the
faith and asked him to help her to fulfil that. He took her to the bishop
of Baalbek and she confessed before him the Holy Trinity, the incarnation
of the Word and His Crucifixion. While the Bishop was praying over the
water to baptize her, the Lord opened her mind, she saw an angel attracting
her to the water and the other angels were rejoicing for her. Then she
saw an ugly terrifying looking person trying to drag her away from them
and he was in wrath with her. What she saw increased her desire for repentance
and baptism. After her baptism, she gave all what she gained as fruit of
her sin to the poor and needy. She entered a convent of nuns, she put on
the garb of monasticism, and fought a good and perfect fight. Satan entered
into some of her friends who informed the Governor about her. The Governor
commanded his men to bring her. When she came into his house she found
great lamentation and weeping for the governor's son had just died. She
came to where the son was laid, prayed entreating the Lord Christ for his
sake and He raised him up from death. The Prince believed in Christ through
her. Another prince called Diogenes heard about her. He brought her before
him, and she saw a soldier standing before him, who was blind in one eye,
she prayed and made the sign of the cross over the eye, and it was opened.
The prince released her instantly. Shortly after this, another Prince called
Bekeyfius was appointed, and he heard about her and had her brought to
him. She asked the Lord Christ to give her a portion with the martyrs.
The Prince commanded to cut off her head, and she received the crown of
martyrdom.
May her intercession be with us. Amen.
Martyrdom of St.Peter the Priest
On this day also the honorable
presbyter St. Peter departed. This father spent his life fasting, he shut
himself in and was disciplined in praying days and nights. The Lord granted
him the gift of knowing the future, healing the sick through the water
and oil after praying over them. He was ordained a priest, after much reluctance,
and he was forced to obey the order. He offered the incense and celebrated
the Liturgy daily. The people of the city rejoiced saying: "May the Lord
grant us the forgiveness of our sins with his prayers and supplications."
He had a wonderful power of reconciling persons at variance. During his
prayer one night, St.Peter the apostle appeared to him and told him: "Hail
to you for you have kept the priesthood without blemish. Hail to you for
your prayers and masses had ascended as sweet aroma." When the Saint saw
him, he was terrified. St Peter told him: "I am the apostle Peter, do not
be afraid for the Lord has sent me to comfort you and to inform you that
you are leaving this toilsome world to the Eternal kingdom, so rejoice
and be comforted." The priest rejoiced for that and said "Remember me O
My Father." When he said that he departed in happiness, glory and honor.
May the Lord have mercy on us with his prayers and blessings and
Glory be to God for ever. Amen.
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Divine Psalm
Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint John the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all. Amen.
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet, and the Good King.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 86 : 13 - 14
Chapter 86
| 13 | For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
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| 14 | O God, the proud have risen against me, And a mob of violent men have sought my life, And have not set You before them.
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Hallelujah.
Divine Gospel
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen.
Luke 13 : 6 - 9
Chapter 13
| 6 | He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.
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| 7 | Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, "Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?'
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| 8 | But he answered and said to him, "Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.
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| 9 | And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down."'
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And Glory be to God forever.
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Acknowledgement
Opening page