Readings

First Reading Isaiah 50:5-9 (JB) A reading from the prophet Isaiah I gave my body to those who struck me. The Lord has opened my ear. For my part, I made no resistance, neither did I turn away. I offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who tore at my…

First Reading Isaiah 35:4-7 (JB) A reading from the prophet Isaiah Then the ears of the deaf shall be opened and the tongues of the dumb speak. Say to all faint hearts, ‘Courage! Do not be afraid. ‘Look, your God is coming, vengeance is coming, the retribution of God; he is coming to save you.’…

First Reading Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8 (JB) A reading from the book of Deuteronomy You may add nothing to the word which I speak to you – keep the commands of the Lord. Moses said to the people: ‘Now, Israel, take notice of the laws and customs that I teach you today, and observe them, that…

First Reading Joshua 24:1-2,15-18 (JB) A reading from the book of Joshua We will serve the Lord God, because he is our God. Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel together at Shechem; then he called the elders, leaders, judges and scribes of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. Then Joshua said to all…

First Reading Proverbs 9:1-6 (JB) A reading from the book of Proverbs Come and eat my bread; drink the wine I have prepared. Wisdom has built herself a house, she has erected her seven pillars, she has slaughtered her beasts, prepared her wine, she has laid her table. She has despatched her maidservants and proclaimed…

First Reading 1 Kings 19:4-8 (JB) A reading from the first book of the Kings Strengthened by the food, he walked to the mountain of the Lord. Elijah went into the wilderness, a day’s journey, and sitting under a furze bush wished he were dead. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘I have had enough. Take my life;…

First Reading Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15 (JB) A reading from the book of Exodus I will rain bread from heaven upon you. The whole community of the sons of Israel began to complain against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness and said to them, ‘Why did we not die at the Lord’s hand in the land…

First Reading 2 Kings 4:42-44 (JB) A reading from the second book of the Kings They will eat and have some left over. A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing Elisha, the man of God, bread from the first-fruits, twenty barley loaves and fresh grain in the ear. ‘Give it to the people to eat,’ Elisha…

First Reading Jeremiah 23:1-6 (JB) A reading from the prophet Jeremiah The remnant of the flock I will gather to me, and bring them back to their pastures. ‘Doom for the shepherds who allow the flock of my pasture to be destroyed and scattered – it is the Lord who speaks! This, therefore, is what…

First Reading Amos 7:12-15 (JB) A reading from the prophet Amos Go, prophesy to my people. Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, said to Amos, ‘Go away, seer; get back to the land of Judah; earn your bread there, do your prophesying there. We want no more prophesying in Bethel; this is the royal sanctuary, the…