Proverbs 17:1-20
Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife. A slave who deals wisely will rule over a child who acts shamefully, and will share the inheritance as one of the family. The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, but the LORD tests the heart. An evildoer listens to wicked lips; and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue. Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who are glad at calamity will not go unpunished. Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents. Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a ruler. A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of those who give it; wherever they turn they prosper. One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend. A rebuke strikes deeper into a discerning person than a hundred blows into a fool. Evil people seek only rebellion, but a cruel messenger will be sent against them. Better to meet a she-bear robbed of its cubs than to confront a fool immersed in folly. Evil will not depart from the house of one who returns evil for good. The beginning of strife is like letting out water; so stop before the quarrel breaks out. One who justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD. Why should fools have a price in hand to buy wisdom, when they have no mind to learn? A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity. It is senseless to give a pledge, to become surety for a neighbor. One who loves transgression loves strife; one who builds a high threshold invites broken bones. The crooked of mind do not prosper, and the perverse of tongue fall into calamity.
1 Timothy 3:1-16
The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way-- for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil. Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money; they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons. Women likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be married only once, and let them manage their children and their households well; for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth. Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.
Matthew 12:43-50
"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but it finds none. Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' When it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So will it be also with this evil generation." While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" And pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Morning Psalms
Psalm 38 Domine, ne in furore
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: Daleth Adhæsit pavimento
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: He Legem pone
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: Waw Et veniat super me
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.
