Exodus 19:16-25
On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, as well as a thick cloud on the mountain, and a blast of a trumpet so loud that all the people who were in the camp trembled. Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God. They took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, because the LORD had descended upon it in fire; the smoke went up like the smoke of a kiln, while the whole mountain shook violently. As the blast of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses would speak and God would answer him in thunder. When the LORD descended upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, the LORD summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go down and warn the people not to break through to the LORD to look; otherwise many of them will perish. Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves or the LORD will break out against them." Moses said to the LORD, "The people are not permitted to come up to Mount Sinai; for you yourself warned us, saying, 'Set limits around the mountain and keep it holy.'" The LORD said to him, "Go down, and come up bringing Aaron with you; but do not let either the priests or the people break through to come up to the LORD; otherwise he will break out against them." So Moses went down to the people and told them.
Colossians 1:15-23
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers-- all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him-- provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel.
Matthew 3:13-17
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
Morning Psalms
Psalm 38
1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger; do not punish me in your wrath.
2 For your arrows have already pierced me, and your hand presses hard upon me.
3 There is no health in my flesh, because of your indignation; there is no soundness in my body, because of my sin.
4 For my iniquities overwhelm me; like a heavy burden they are too much for me to bear.
5 My wounds stink and fester by reason of my foolishness.
6 I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; I go about in mourning all the day long.
7 My loins are filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body.
8 I am utterly numb and crushed; I wail, because of the groaning of my heart.
9 O Lord, you know all my desires, and my sighing is not hidden from you.
10 My heart is pounding, my strength has failed me, and the brightness of my eyes is gone from me.
11 My friends and companions draw back from my affliction; my neighbors stand afar off.
12 Those who seek after my life lay snares for me; those who strive to hurt me speak of my ruin and plot treachery all the day long.
13 But I am like the deaf who do not hear, like those who are mute and who do not open their mouth.
14 I have become like one who does not hear and from whose mouth comes no defense.
15 For in you, O LORD, have I fixed my hope; you will answer me, O Lord my God.
16 For I said, "Do not let them rejoice at my expense, those who gloat over me when my foot slips."
17 Truly, I am on the verge of falling, and my pain is always with me.
18 I will confess my iniquity and be sorry for my sin.
19 Those who are my enemies without cause are mighty, and many in number are those who wrongfully hate me.
20 Those who repay evil for good slander me, because I follow the course that is right.
21 O LORD, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God.
22 Make haste to help me, O Lord of my salvation.
Evening Psalms
Psalm 119:
25 My soul cleaves to the dust; give me life according to your word.
26 I have confessed my ways, and you answered me; instruct me in your statutes.
27 Make me understand the way of your commandments, that I may meditate on your marvelous works.
28 My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
29 Take from me the way of lying; let me find grace through your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set your judgments before me.
31 I hold fast to your decrees; O LORD, let me not be put to shame.
32 I will run the way of your commandments, for you have set my heart at liberty.
Psalm 119:
33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; I shall keep it with all my heart.
35 Make me go in the path of your commandments, for that is my desire.
36 Incline my heart to your decrees and not to unjust gain.
37 Turn my eyes from watching what is worthless; give me life in your ways.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, which you make to those who fear you.
39 Turn away the reproach which I dread, because your judgments are good.
40 Behold, I long for your commandments; in your righteousness preserve my life.
Psalm 119:
41 Let your loving-kindness come to me, O LORD, and your salvation, according to your promise.
42 Then shall I have a word for those who taunt me, because I trust in your words.
43 Do not take the word of truth out of my mouth, for my hope is in your judgments.
44 I shall continue to keep your law; I shall keep it for ever and ever.
45 I will walk at liberty, because I study your commandments.
46 I will tell of your decrees before kings and will not be ashamed.
47 I delight in your commandments, which I have always loved.
48 I will lift up my hands to your commandments, and I will meditate on your statutes.
