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The Orthodox Pages email: pater@christopherklitou.com
THE BOOK OF
THE APOSTLE |
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The Epistles of St. Paul |
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Prokhimenon.
Tone 1. [Psalm 32].
The reading is from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians.
Brethren,
he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth
bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he
purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity:
for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound
toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may
abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he
hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that
ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and
multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through
us thanksgiving to God.
under me. mercy to his anointed.
Monday of the Nineteenth Week
Paul
and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ
Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace be unto
you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I
thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine
for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel
from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he
which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus
Christ: Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have
you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and
confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week
Brethren,
God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus
Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in
knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are
excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of
Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus
Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. But I would ye should
understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen
out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ
are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the
brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to
speak the word without fear.
Wednesday of the Nineteenth
Week Brethren, I would ye should understand that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, According to my earnest expectation and my hope.
Thursday of the Nineteenth Week Brethren, in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ.
Friday of the Nineteenth Week
Brethren,
let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether
I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye
stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of
the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them
an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on
him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye
saw in me, and now hear to be in me. If there be therefore any consolation
in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any
bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the
same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through
strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better
than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also
on the things of others.
Saturday of the Nineteenth Week
Brethren,
be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Now
concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the
churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let
every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that
there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall
approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto
Jerusalem.
Prokhimenon.
Tone 2. [Psalm 117].
The reading is from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians.
Brethren,
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for
evermore, knoweth that I lie not. In Damascus the governor under Aretas
the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to
apprehend me: And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall,
and escaped his hands. It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I
will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ
above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether
out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the
third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the
body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into
paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to
utter. Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in
mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a
fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should
think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the
revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of
Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing
I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto
me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in
weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Monday of the Twentieth Week
Brethren,
as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in
my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is
God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do
all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and
harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and
perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth
the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ.
Tuesday of the Twentieth Week
Brethren,
I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered
upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you
all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. But I trust
in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be
of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who
will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things
which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son
with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Him therefore I
hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
Wednesday of the Twentieth Week
Brethren,
I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. Yet I supposed
it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in
labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to
my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because
that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto
death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest
I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully,
that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less
sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold
such in reputation: Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death,
not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
Thursday of the Twentieth Week
Brethren,
rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not
grievous, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers,
beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in
the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the
flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man
thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of
Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which
is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted
loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the
excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have
suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may
win Christ.
Friday of the Twentieth Week
Brethren,
I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I
may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness,
which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power
of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made
conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the
resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either
were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for
which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself
to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things
which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I
press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ
Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in
any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same
rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me,
and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk,
of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they
are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose
God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly
things.)
Saturday of the Twentieth Week
Brethren,
we would not have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia,
that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we
despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves,
that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust
that he will yet deliver us; Ye also helping together by prayer for us,
that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may
be given by many on our behalf.
Prokhimenon.
Tone 3. [Psalm 46].
The reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians.
Brethren,
I certify you that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the
revelation of Jesus Christ. For ye have heard of my conversation in time
past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the
church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above
many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the
traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from
my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me,
that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not
with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were
apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto
Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and
abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save
James the Lord's brother.
Monday of the Twenty-First Week
Brethren,
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath
flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever
state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I
know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to
be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well
done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know
also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia,
no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye
only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your
account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of
Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet
smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall
supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now
unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Salute every
saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the
saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. The grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Tuesday of the Twenty-First
Week
Paul,
an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace
be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. As
ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a
faithful minister of Christ; Who also declared unto us your love in the
Spirit. For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to
pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of
his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk
worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work,
and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might,
according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with
joyfulness.
Wednesday of the Twenty-First
Week
Brethren,
Christ is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the
firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And,
having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all
things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or
things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in
your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his
flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable
in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not
moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was
preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a
minister.
Thursday of the Twenty-First
Week Brethren, now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you.
Friday of the Twenty-First Week
Brethren,
I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at
Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That
their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all
riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of
the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should
beguile you with enticing words. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet
am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the
stedfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ
Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and
stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with
thanksgiving.
Saturday of the Twenty-First
Week
Brethren,
seeing that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not
as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel
could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their
minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken
away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in
Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their
heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be
taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord
is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass
the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to
glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Prokhimenon. Tone 4. [Psalm 103].
made them all:
The
reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians.
Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the
faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we
might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the
law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if,
while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found
sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I
build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am
crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in
me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the
Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
meekness
and
righteousness.
Monday of the Twenty-Second
Week
Brethren,
you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, Christ
hath quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was
contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And
having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly,
triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in
drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath
days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let
no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping
of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly
puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all
the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit
together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead
with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the
world, are ye subject to ordinances.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Second
Week Brethren, if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Wednesday of the
Twenty-Second Week
Brethren,
whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Wives, submit yourselves unto
your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives,
and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things:
for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your
children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things
your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers;
but in singleness of heart, fearing God; And whatsoever ye do, do it
heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye
shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done:
and there is no respect of persons. Masters, give unto your servants that
which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
Thursday of the Twenty-Second
Week
Brethren,
continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal
praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to
speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make
it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are
without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned
with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. All my state
shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful
minister and fellowservant in the Lord: Whom I have sent unto you for the
same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They
shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
Friday of the Twenty-Second
Week
Brethren,
Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to
Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you,
receive him;) And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the
circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God,
which have been a comfort unto me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant
of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers,
that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear
him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in
Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas,
greet you. Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the
church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read among you,
cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye
likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, Take heed
to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with
you. Amen.
Saturday of the Twenty-Second
Week
Brethren,
we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we
have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with
our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not
be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being
burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that
mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for
the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the
Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at
home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not
by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from
the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that,
whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all
appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the
things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be
good or bad.
Prokhimenon.
Tone 5. [Psalm 11].
The reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians.
Brethren,
Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. As
many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be
circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of
Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but
desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God
forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by
whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ
Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a
new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on
them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. From henceforth let no man
trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren,
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Monday of the Twenty-Third Week Paul and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Third
Week Brethren, ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Third
Week
Brethren,
yourselves know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But
even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as
ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel
of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of
uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in
trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God,
which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words,
as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought
we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been
burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even
as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of
you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God
only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
Thursday of the Twenty-Third
Week Brethren, remember our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus.
Friday of the Twenty-Third Week Brethren, ye became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.
Saturday of the Twenty-Third Week The reading is from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 Brethren, I do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
Prokhimenon.
Tone 6. [Psalm 27].
The reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians.
Brethren,
God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even
when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by
grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit
together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he
might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us
through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man
should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto
good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
abide under the
shelter of
the God of heaven
Monday of the Twenty-Fourth
Week
Brethren,
ye are our glory and joy. Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we
thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And sent Timotheus, our
brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of
Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: That
no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we
are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you
before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye
know. For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your
faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be
in vain. But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good
tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us
always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: Therefore,
brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by
your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Fourth
Week
Brethren, if ye stand fast in the Lord, what thanks can we render to God again for
you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night
and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect
that which is lacking in your faith? Now God himself and our Father, and
our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to
increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even
as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in
holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ with all his saints.
Wednesday of the
Twenty-Fourth Week
Brethren,
we beseech you and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received
of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and
more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For
this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain
from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his
vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence,
even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud
his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all
such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not
called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth,
despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye
yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it
toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you,
brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet,
and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we
commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and
that ye may have lack of nothing.
Thursday of the Twenty-Fourth
Week Brethren, comfort one another with these words. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Friday of the Twenty-Fourth
Week
Brethren,
God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord
Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should
live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify
one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know
them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish
you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be
at peace among yourselves. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will
do it. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. I
charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy
brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Saturday of the Twenty-Fourth
Week
Brethren,
I would that ye bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with
me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you
to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I
fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty,
so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached,
or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another
gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. For I
suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. But though I
be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made
manifest among you in all things.
Prokhimenon.
Tone 7. [Psalm 28]. the Lord glory and honour.
The reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians.
Brethren,
Christ is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the
middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the
enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make
in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might
reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity
thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to
them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit
unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners,
but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are
built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ
himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly
framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also
are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Monday of the Twenty-Fifth Week
Paul
and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God
our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, from God
our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to thank God always for
you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly,
and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So
that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience
and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which
is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be
counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it
is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that
trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus
shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire
taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel
of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his
power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired
in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in
that day.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Fifth
Week
Brethren,
our testimony among you was believed in that day. Wherefore also we pray
always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and
fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with
power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and
ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and
by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or
be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as
that the day of Christ is at hand.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Fifth
Week
Brethren,
we beseech you, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our
gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be
troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as
that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means:
for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and
that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and
exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so
that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is
God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these
things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his
time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now
letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that
Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his
mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him,
whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and
lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that
perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might
be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that
they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not
the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Thursday of the Twenty-Fifth
Week
Brethren,
we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the
Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through
sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called
you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have
been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ
himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us
everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts,
and stablish you in every good word and work. Finally, brethren, pray for
us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even
as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and
wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who
shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence in the
Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command
you. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the
patient waiting for Christ.
Friday of the Twenty-Fifth Week Brethren, we command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth
Week Brethren, grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Prokhimenon.
Tone 8. [Psalm 75].
The reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians.
Brethren,
I the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the
vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with
longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the
unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one
Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one
faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and
through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace
according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
noise to
God our
Saviour.
Monday of the Twenty-Sixth Week
The reading is from the First Epistle of St. Paul to Timothy.
Paul,
an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord
Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. As
I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia,
that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither
give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions,
rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the
commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and
of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto
vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither
what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Sixth
Week My child Timothy, we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Sixth
Week
My
child Timothy,
this charge I commit unto thee, according to the prophecies which went
before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding
faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith
have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have
delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. I will
therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath
and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest
apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold,
or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing
godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all
subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over
the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And
Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the
transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they
continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
Thursday of the Twenty-Sixth
Week
My
child Timothy,
this is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth
a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife,
vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient,
not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having
his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to
rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a
novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of
the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without;
lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise must the
deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of
filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And
let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon,
being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers,
sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one
wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have
used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and
great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Friday of the Twenty-Sixth Week
My
child Timothy,
every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be
received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and
prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou
shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of
faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse
profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all
things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to
come. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for
in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Saturday of the Twenty-Sixth
Week
Brethren,
the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through
faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all
nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with
faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the
curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all
things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no
man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The
just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that
doeth them shall live in them. |
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