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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 Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians.
Brethren,
walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness
and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather
reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are
done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest
by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he
saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall
give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as
wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not
unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk
with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to
yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making
melody in your heart to the Lord.
under me.
to his anointed.
Monday of the Twenty-Seventh
Week My child Timothy, rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man. Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Seventh
Week
My
child Timothy,
the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against
Christ, they will marry; Having damnation, because they have cast off
their first faith. And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from
house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies,
speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the younger
women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the
adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after
Satan. If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve
them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are
widows indeed. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double
honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the
scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.
And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an
accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before
all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord
Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without
preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Seventh
Week
My
child Timothy,
lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins:
keep thyself pure. Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy
stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. Some men's sins are open
beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they
that are otherwise cannot be hid. Let as many servants as are under the
yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God
and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters,
let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them
service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.
These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not
to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the
doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing,
but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy,
strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt
minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from
such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For
we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing
out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they
that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish
and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the
love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after,
they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many
sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things.
Thursday of the Twenty-Seventh
Week My child Timothy, charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
Friday of the Twenty-Seventh
Week
Paul,
an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of
life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace,
mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Be not
thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his
prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according
to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy
calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and
grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is
now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath
abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through
the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a
teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things:
nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am
persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him
against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard
of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which
was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. This
thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of
whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord give mercy unto the house of
Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day:
and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very
well.
Saturday of the Twenty-Seventh
Week
Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And
they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and
lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us
not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual,
restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest
thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law
of Christ.
Prokhimenon.
Tone 2. [Psalm 117].
The reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians. Brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Monday
of the Twenty-Eighth Week My child Timothy, in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Eighth
Week
My
child Timothy,
all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good
works. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who
shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when
they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they
heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away
their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Eighth
Week
My
child Timothy,
do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me,
having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica;
Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark,
and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. And
Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. The cloke that I left at Troas with
Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially
the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord
reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath
greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but
all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me
the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear:
and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall
deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly
kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Salute Prisca and
Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus abode at Corinth: but
Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. Do thy diligence to come before
winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all
the brethren. The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you.
Amen.
Thursday
of the Twenty-Eighth Week
My
child Titus,
ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless,
the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or
unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not
selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to
filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober,
just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been
taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to
convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and
deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be
stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not,
for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own,
said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This
witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in
the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that
turn from the truth.
Friday of the Twenty-Eighth
Week
My
child Titus,
unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and
unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is
defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him,
being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. But
speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be
sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged
women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false
accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may
teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their
children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their
own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise
exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good
works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound
speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may
be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Exhort servants to be
obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things;
not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that
they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
Saturday of the Twenty-Eighth
Week
Brethren,
I cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto
you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes
of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope
of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the
saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who
believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in
Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right
hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and
might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world,
but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet,
and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his
body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Prokhimenon.
Tone 3. [Psalm 46].
The reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians.
Brethren,
we give thanks unto God and the Father, which hath made us meet to be
partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us
from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his
dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the
forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn
of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven,
and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him,
and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
And he 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.
Monday
of the Twenty-Ninth Week
Brethren,
Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony
of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over
his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the
rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost
saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the
provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers
tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was
grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart;
and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not
enter into my rest.) But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not
with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to
whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that
believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Ninth
Week
Brethren,
let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his
rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the
gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not
profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we
which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my
wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished
from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the
seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his
works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing
therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it
was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth
a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is
said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if
Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of
another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he
that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as
God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest
any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is
quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to
the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and
is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there
any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked
and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Ninth Week
Brethren,
of Melchisedec we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing
ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye
have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the
oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of
strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of
righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that
are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses
exercised to discern both good and evil. Therefore leaving the principles
of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again
the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of
the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection
of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted
of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have
tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they
shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify
to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the
earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth
forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from
God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh
unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
Thursday of the Twenty-Ninth Week
Brethren,
Melchisedec, the king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met
Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To
whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation
King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King
of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither
beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God;
abideth a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, unto
whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily
they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the
priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to
the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of
Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of
Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
Friday of the Twenty-Ninth Week
Brethren,
there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the
weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect,
but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto
God. And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those
priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said
unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever
after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a
better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not
suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he
continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able
also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he
ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Saturday of the Twenty-Ninth
Week
Brethren,
remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called
Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made
by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the
commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise,
having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye
who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Prokhimenon.
Tone 4. [Psalm 103].
made them all:
The reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians.
Brethren,
when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with
him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;
fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and
covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God
cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some
time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger,
wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not
one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image
of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew,
circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but
Christ is all, and in all.
meekness
and
righteousness.
Monday of the Thirtieth Week
Brethren,
if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been
sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the
days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house
of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that
I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead
them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant,
and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I
will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I
will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I
will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall
not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know
the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I
will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their
iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he
hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready
to vanish away.
Tuesday
of the Thirtieth Week
Brethren,
this signifying the Holy Ghost, that the way into the holiest of all was
not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both
gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service
perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and
drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until
the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good
things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with
hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats
and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place,
having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and
of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth
to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge
your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this
cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for
the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament,
they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the
testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is
of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the
first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken
every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of
calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and
sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of
the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with
blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost
all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood
is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in
the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things
themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week
Brethren,
the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of
the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by
year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they
not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged
should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there
is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible
that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when
he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest
not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices
for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume
of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he
said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou
wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the
law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the
first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are
sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the
same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he
had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of
God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For
by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said
before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days,
saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds
will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Thursday of the Thirtieth Week
Brethren,
cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For
ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye
might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come
will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if
any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not
of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the
saving of the soul. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of
God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do
appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than
Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying
of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was
translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God
had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that
he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he
that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of
them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of
things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of
his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the
righteousness which is by faith.
Friday
of the Thirtieth Week
Brethren,
by faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he
should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not
knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as
in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the
heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath
foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara
herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child
when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as
the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea
shore innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the
promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and
embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the
earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a
country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence
they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now
they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not
ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Saturday of the Thirtieth Week
Brethren,
be ye followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also
hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice
to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness,
or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not
convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no
whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater,
hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man
deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath
of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers
with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the
Lord.
Prokhimenon.
Tone 5. [Psalm 11].
The reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians.
Brethren,
put on, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one
another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any:
even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put
on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God
rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be
ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Monday
of the Thirty-First Week
Brethren,
by faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had
received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was
said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able
to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a
figure. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and
worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he
died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave
commandment concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was
hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child;
and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when
he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy
the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ
greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the
recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath
of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith
he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed
the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea
as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. By faith
the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven
days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not,
when she had received the spies with peace.
Tuesday of the Thirty-First
Week
Brethren,
see that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who
refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn
away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth:
but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth
only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the
removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that
those things which cannot be shaken may remain. And I beseech you,
brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto
you in few words. Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with
whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. Salute all them that have the
rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. Grace be with
you all. Amen.
Wednesday of the Thirty-First
Week James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Thursday of the Thirty-First
Week
Brethren,
my beloved, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay
apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with
meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye
doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if
any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man
beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth
his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso
looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being
not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed
in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not
his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure
religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the
fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted
from the world.
Friday
of the Thirty-First Week
Brethren,
have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with
respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold
ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile
raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say
unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou
there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in
yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved
brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and
heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye
have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before
the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye
are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to
persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For
whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is
guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not
kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a
transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be
judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy,
that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Saturday of the Thirty-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. We
give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always
for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love
which ye have to all the saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in
heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth
fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the
grace of God in truth.
Prokhimenon.
Tone 6. [Psalm 27].
The reading is from the First Epistle of St. Paul to Timothy.
My
child Timothy,
this is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for
this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew
forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter
believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal,
invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Alleluia
[3]. Tone 6 [Psalm 90].
abide under the
shelter of
the God of heaven
Monday of the Thirty-Second
Week
Brethren,
what doth it profit though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?
can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of
daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed
and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are
needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not
works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I
have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my
faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well:
the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that
faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by
works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how
faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the
scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was
imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had
received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the
body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Tuesday
of the Thirty-Second Week
Brethren,
be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater
condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in
word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we
turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be
so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a
very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is
a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a
little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is
the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth
on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every
kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea,
is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame;
it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even
the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the
similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.
My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Wednesday of the Thirty-Second Week
Brethren,
doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can
the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can
no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued
with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his
works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in
your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom
descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where
envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the
wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy
to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and
without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them
that make peace. From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they
not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have
not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet
ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask
amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and
adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with
God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of
God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that
dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he
saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Thursday of the Thirty-Second
Week
Brethren,
submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye
sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and
mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to
heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift
you up. Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of
his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and
judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the
law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to
destroy: who art thou that judgest another? Go to now, ye that say, To day
or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and
buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the
morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a
little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the
Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your
boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do
good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. Go to now, ye rich men, weep and
howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are
corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is
cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall
eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the
last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your
fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them
which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye
have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished
your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the
just; and he doth not resist you. Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the
coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit
of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early
and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming
of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest
ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
Friday of the Thirty-Second
Week
Peter,
an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus,
Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit,
unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto
you, and peace, be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again
unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To
an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith
unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly
rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through
manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more
precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might
be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus
Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not,
yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of
which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who
prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what
manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it
testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should
follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us
they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that
have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from
heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Wherefore gird up the
loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to
be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient
children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your
ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all
manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth
according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in
fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible
things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by
tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of
a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained
before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times
for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead,
and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye
have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto
unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure
heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of
incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For
all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.
The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of
the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is
preached unto you. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and
hypocrisies, and envies, all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the
sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have
tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone,
disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as
lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to
offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a
chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall
not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but
unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed,
the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a
rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being
disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye
should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness
into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are
now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained
mercy.
Saturday of the Thirty-Second Week Brethren, we exhort you warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prokhimenon.
Tone 7. [Psalm 28]. the Lord glory and honour.
The reading is from the First Epistle of St. Paul to Timothy.
My
child Timothy,
this is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we
both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who
is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. These things
command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of
the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith,
in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to
doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by
prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon
these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear
to all.
Monday of the Thirty-Third Week
Dearly
beloved,
Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his
steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he
was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but
committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare
our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should
live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as
sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of
your souls. Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands;
that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by
the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation
coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of
plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not
corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the
sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the
holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in
subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling
him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not
afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them
according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker
vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your
prayers be not hindered. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion
one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering
evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing
that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
Tuesday of the Thirty-Third
Week
Dearly
beloved,
he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from
evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do
good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over
the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of
the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you,
if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for
righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror,
neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be
ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of
the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience;
that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed
that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if
the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that
he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened
by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in
prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of
God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein
few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto
even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of
the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right
hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto
him.
Wednesday of the Thirty-Third
Week
Dearly
beloved,
forasmuch as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves
likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath
ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the
flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of
our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we
walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings,
and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not
with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give
account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this
cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might
be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the
spirit. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and
watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among
yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality
one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even
so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold
grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if
any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that
God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise
and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Thursday of the Thirty-Third Week Dearly beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Friday
of the Thirty-Third Week
Simon
Peter,
a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like
precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour
Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge
of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given
unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the
knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are
given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye
might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption
that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence,
add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge
temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to
godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if
these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be
barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he
that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath
forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather,
brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye
do these things, ye shall never fall:
Saturday of the Thirty-Third
Week
My
child Timothy,
it is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live
with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he
also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot
deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them
before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the
subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto
more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is
Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that
the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The
Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of
Christ depart from iniquity.
Thirty-Third Sunday
Prokhimenon.
Tone 8. [Psalm 75].
The reading is from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to Timothy. My child Timothy, thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
noise to
God our
Saviour.
Monday
of the Thirty-Fourth Week
Dearly
beloved,
know this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:
but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. But there
were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false
teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even
denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift
destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of
whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness
shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now
of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For if
God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and
delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And
spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of
righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And
turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an
overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live
ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the
wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and
hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful
deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and
to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.
Tuesday of the Thirty-Fourth
Week
Dearly
beloved,
the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to
reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly
them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise
government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to
speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and
might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But
these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil
of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their
own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they
that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and
blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast
with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin;
beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous
practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are
gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the
wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass
speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are
wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the
mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling
words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much
wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of
corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in
bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world
through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again
entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than
the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way
of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy
commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to
the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow
that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Wednesday of the Thirty-Fourth Week
Dearly
beloved,
this second epistle I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your
pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words
which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of
us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there
shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And
saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell
asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the
creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God
the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in
the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water,
perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word
are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and
perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing,
that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as
one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord
will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass
away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat,
the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing
then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons
ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and
hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on
fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new
earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye
look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace,
without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our
Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the
wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles,
speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be
understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do
also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore,
beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being
led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Thursday of the Thirty-Fourth Week
Brethren,
if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not
in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have
not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little
children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man
sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And
he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for
the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we
keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth
his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that
we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to
walk, even as he walked.
Friday of the Thirty-Fourth
Week
Brethren,
I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had
from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard
from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing
is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true
light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his
brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth
in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that
hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth
not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. I write
unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his
name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is
from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome
the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known
the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him
that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye
are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the
wicked one. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all
that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and
the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the
world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of
God abideth for ever.
Saturday of the Thirty-Fourth Week
My
child Timothy,
follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou
art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many
witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all
things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a
good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable,
until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall
shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord
of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man
can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour
and power everlasting. Amen. |
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