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Daily Readings
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Saturday, 17th March 2018 --- 8 Baramhat 1734
Readings for Saturday of fifth week of Great Lent
Matins
Matins Psalm
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 65 : 2 - 3
Chapter 65
| 2 | O You who hear prayer, To You all flesh will come.
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| 3 | Iniquities prevail against me; As for our transgressions, You will provide atonement for them.
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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 Luke the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all.
Luke 15 : 3 - 10
Chapter 15
| 3 | So He spoke this parable to them, saying:
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| 4 | "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?
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| 5 | And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
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| 6 | And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'
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| 7 | I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
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| 8 | "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?
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| 9 | And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!'
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| 10 | Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
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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 Galatians .
May his blessings be upon us.
Amen.
Galatians 5 : 16 - end
Chapter 5
| 16 | I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
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| 17 | For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
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| 18 | But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
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| 19 | Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
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| 20 | idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
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| 21 | envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
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| 22 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
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| 23 | gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
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| 24 | And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
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| 25 | If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
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| 26 | Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
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Galatians 6 : 1 - 2
Chapter 6
| 1 | Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
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| 2 | Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
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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 of St. James .
May his blessing be upon us.
Amen.
James 5 : 7 - 11
Chapter 5
| 7 | Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.
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| 8 | You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
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| 9 | Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!
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| 10 | My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.
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| 11 | Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
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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 26 : 1 - 18
Chapter 26
| 1 | Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself:
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| 2 | "I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews,
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| 3 | especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
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| 4 | "My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know.
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| 5 | They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
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| 6 | And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.
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| 7 | To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.
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| 8 | Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?
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| 9 | "Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
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| 10 | This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.
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| 11 | And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
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| 12 | "While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
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| 13 | at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.
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| 14 | And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'
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| 15 | So I said, "Who are You, Lord?' And He said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
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| 16 | But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.
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| 17 | I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,
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| 18 | to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'
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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 8 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 Eighth Day of the Blessed Month of Baramhat
Martyrdom of St.Matthias, the Apostle
On this day St. Matthias, the
apostle was martyred about 63 A.D. He was born in Bethlehem, followed the
apostles and was chosen in place of Judas Iscariot in the upper room on
the mount of Zion. Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether
the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, "Men and
brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke
before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those
who arrested Jesus; "for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in
this ministry." (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity;
and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails
gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so
that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of
Blood.) "For it is written in the book of Psalms: 'Let his habitation be
desolate, and let no one live in it'; and, 'Let another take his office.'
"Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the
Lord Jesus went in and out among us, "beginning from the baptism of John
to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness
with us of His resurrection." And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas,
who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, "You,
O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen
"to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression
fell, that he might go to his own place." And they cast their lots, and
the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
(Acts 1:15-26)
Afterwards he was filled with
the Holy Spirit, and went to preach the Gospel until he came to the country
of cannibals. The custom of those people was whenever they seized a stranger,
they put him in prison for thirty days feeding him grass, then they bring
him out and eat him. When St.Matthias came to them and preached among them
the massage of love they seized him, plucked out his eyes and put him in
prison. Before the thirty days were over God sent to him Andrew the apostle
and his disciple. They came to the prison and saw the prisoners and what
abominable things the people of the city did to them. Satan inspired the
people of the city to seize them also and kill them. When they were about
to seize them, the two Saints prayed to the Lord, and a stream of water
flowed from under one of the pillar of the prison. The water flowed out
into the city, and rose up until it reached the necks of the people. When
the people of the city gave up all hope of saving their lives, they came
to the apostles, and wept before them confessing their sins. The apostles
told them "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved." They
all believed and they released St. Matthias. St. Matthias, along with St.
Andrew and his disciple taught them the mystery of the Incarnation of the
Lord Christ. The Apostles prayed and entreated God Who made the water to
cease then they baptized them in the Name of the Holy Trinity. They also
prayed to The Lord Christ Who removed from them their barbaric nature.
The Apostles appointed over them bishops and priests.
They tarried with them for a while
during which they instructed them and confirmed them in the faith, then
they left. The people of the city entreated them to come back to them speedily.
St. Matthias went to the city of Damascus and preached there in the Name
of the Lord Christ. The people of the city became angry so they took him
and laid him upon an iron bed, they lighted a fire under it which did not
harm him but his face was shining with light like the sun. They marvelled
exceedingly and they all believed on the Lord Christ through St. Matthias
the apostle who baptized them, and appointed priests for them. He tarried
many days with them confirming them in the faith. Afterward he departed
in peace in one of the city of the jews called Falawon (Pilawon) where
his body was laid.
May his prayers be with us. Amen.
Departure of St.Julian, the Eleventh
Pope of Alexandria
On this day also of the
year 188 A.D. (3rd of march) the holy father Pope Julian the Eleventh Pope
of Alexandria departed. This father was a student in the seminary established
by St. Mark, and was ordained priest in the city of Alexandria. He surpassed
many in knowledge, righteousness, and purity so he was ordained Patriarch
on the 9th of Baramhat (Year 178 A.D.) After his enthronement he saw that
the pagans did not allow the bishops to leave the city of Alexandria, so
he used to leave the city in secret to ordain priests everywhere. Before
his departure the angel of the lord announced to him that the one who will
bring him a cluster of grapes, is the one to succeed him on the Patriarchal
Chair. One day, while Demetrius the vine dresser was trimming his trees,
he found a cluster of grapes and was not in season. He took the cluster
and gave it to the Patriarch Abba Julian who was pleased with the present.
He gathered the bishops and told them about the vision and commanded them
to enthrone him Patriarch after him. This father composed many homilies
and discourses, he taught the people continually, preached and visited
them. He stayed on the Apostolic Chair for ten years then departed in peace.
May his prayers be with us. Amen.
Martyrdom of St.Arianus, the Governor
of Ansena
On this day also St. Arianus,
the governor of Ansena was martyred. When he ordered to shoot St. Apollonius
with arrows, and one of the arrows glanced back and struck his eye and
destroyed it, as it is mentioned in the Seventh day of Baramhat, one of
the believers told him: "If you take some of his blood and smear your eye
with it, you will receive your sight." The Governor took some of his blood,
smeared his eye, and immediately he was able to see. Arianus believed on
the Lord Christ, with great sorrow for all the evil things which he had
done to the holy martyrs and the severity with which he tortured them.
Then he rose up, destroyed his idols, and he refrained from torturing any
of the believers. When Diocletian heard the report of Arianus, he brought
him, and asked him why he had forsaken the worship of his idols. Arianus
began to tell him about the signs and wonders which God was working by
the hands of the holy martyrs, and how, in spite of the tortures which
he had inflicted upon them, and the cutting of their bodies, they rose
up again whole. The Emperor became furious with him because of what he
said and ordered him to be tortured severely, and to cast him into a pit
and to cover it until he dies.
The Lord Christ sent His
angel, who brought him out from the pit, and took him by the bed of the
Emperor. The Emperor woke up from his sleep, and when he saw and recognized
that he was Arianus, he was amazed and terrified. Diocletian again ordered
him to be placed into a hair sack, and to cast him into the sea, so they
did. Arianus the martyr delivered up his soul while he was in the hair
sack. The Saint had told his kinsfolk when he bid them farewell that the
Lord had told him in a vision of the night that He would take care of his
body, return it to his town, and they could find it on the shore of Alexandria.
The Lord ordered a sea creature who carried the Saint, and brought him
to the city of Alexandria, where it casted him on the shore. His men took
his body, brought it to Ansena, and laid it with the bodies of the Saints
Philemon and Apollonius. Thus, he finished his good fight and received
the heavenly crown.
May his prayers be with us and Glory be to God forever. 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 143 : 1 - 2
Chapter 143
| 1 | Hear my prayer, O LORD, Give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, And in Your righteousness.
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| 2 | Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no one living is righteous.
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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.
Matthew 23 : 14 - 39
Chapter 23
| 14 | Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
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| 15 | "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
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| 16 | "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, "Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.'
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| 17 | Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
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| 18 | And, "Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.'
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| 19 | Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
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| 20 | Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it.
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| 21 | He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it.
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| 22 | And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.
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| 23 | "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
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| 24 | Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
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| 25 | "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.
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| 26 | Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
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| 27 | "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.
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| 28 | Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
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| 29 | "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous,
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| 30 | and say, "If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.'
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| 31 | "Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.
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| 32 | Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers' guilt.
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| 33 | Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?
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| 34 | Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,
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| 35 | that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
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| 36 | Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
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| 37 | "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!
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| 38 | See! Your house is left to you desolate;
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| 39 | for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!"'
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And Glory be to God forever.
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Acknowledgement
Opening page