We will proclaim the name of the Lord.
Ascribe greatness to our God.
1
Deuteronomy 32:3
Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
2 The Opening Canticle, A Song of God's Mercy
God who is rich in mercy:
out of the great love with which he loved us,
Even when we were dead through our trespasses:
made us alive together with Christ,
And raised us up with him:
and made us sit with him
in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
That he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace:
in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.
out of the great love with which he loved us,
Even when we were dead through our trespasses:
made us alive together with Christ,
And raised us up with him:
and made us sit with him
in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
That he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace:
in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:4-7
3 The Opening Prayer
The night has passed and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.
let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence may be kept
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever. Amen.
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever. Amen.
4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each
1 His foundation is on the holy mountains. •
The Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
2 Glorious things are spoken of you, •
Zion, city of our God.
3 I record Egypt and Babylon as those who know me; •
behold Philistia, Tyre and Ethiopia:
in Zion were they born.
4 And of Zion it shall be said, ‘Each one was born in her, •
and the Most High himself has established her.’
5 The Lord will record as he writes up the peoples, •
‘This one also was born there.’
6 And as they dance they shall sing, •
‘All my fresh springs are in you.’
The Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
2 Glorious things are spoken of you, •
Zion, city of our God.
3 I record Egypt and Babylon as those who know me; •
behold Philistia, Tyre and Ethiopia:
in Zion were they born.
4 And of Zion it shall be said, ‘Each one was born in her, •
and the Most High himself has established her.’
5 The Lord will record as he writes up the peoples, •
‘This one also was born there.’
6 And as they dance they shall sing, •
‘All my fresh springs are in you.’
1 My song shall be always of the loving-kindness of the Lord: •
with my mouth will I proclaim your faithfulness
throughout all generations.
2 I will declare that your love is established for ever; •
you have set your faithfulness as firm as the heavens.
3 For you said: ‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one; •
I have sworn an oath to David my servant:
4 ‘ “Your seed will I establish for ever •
and build up your throne for all generations.” ’
5 The heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, •
and your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones;
6 For who among the clouds can be compared to the Lord? •
Who is like the Lord among the host of heaven?
7 A God feared in the council of the holy ones, •
great and terrible above all those round about him.
8 Who is like you, Lord God of hosts? •
Mighty Lord, your faithfulness is all around you.
9 You rule the raging of the sea; •
you still its waves when they arise.
10 You crushed Rahab with a deadly wound •
and scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
11 Yours are the heavens; the earth also is yours; •
you established the world and all that fills it.
12 You created the north and the south; •
Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your name.
13 You have a mighty arm; •
strong is your hand and high is your right hand.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; •
steadfast love and faithfulness go before your face.
15 Happy are the people who know the shout of triumph: •
they walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance.
16 In your name they rejoice all the day long •
and are exalted in your righteousness.
17 For you are the glory of their strength, •
and in your favour you lift up our heads.
18 Truly the Lord is our shield; •
the Holy One of Israel is our king.
with my mouth will I proclaim your faithfulness
throughout all generations.
2 I will declare that your love is established for ever; •
you have set your faithfulness as firm as the heavens.
3 For you said: ‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one; •
I have sworn an oath to David my servant:
4 ‘ “Your seed will I establish for ever •
and build up your throne for all generations.” ’
5 The heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, •
and your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones;
6 For who among the clouds can be compared to the Lord? •
Who is like the Lord among the host of heaven?
7 A God feared in the council of the holy ones, •
great and terrible above all those round about him.
8 Who is like you, Lord God of hosts? •
Mighty Lord, your faithfulness is all around you.
9 You rule the raging of the sea; •
you still its waves when they arise.
10 You crushed Rahab with a deadly wound •
and scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
11 Yours are the heavens; the earth also is yours; •
you established the world and all that fills it.
12 You created the north and the south; •
Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your name.
13 You have a mighty arm; •
strong is your hand and high is your right hand.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; •
steadfast love and faithfulness go before your face.
15 Happy are the people who know the shout of triumph: •
they walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance.
16 In your name they rejoice all the day long •
and are exalted in your righteousness.
17 For you are the glory of their strength, •
and in your favour you lift up our heads.
18 Truly the Lord is our shield; •
the Holy One of Israel is our king.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
Lord, our God, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier: we ask you to cleanse us from all hypocrisy, to unite us to our fellow men and women by the bonds of peace and love, and to confirm us in holiness; now and for ever. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed
Ezekiel 11:14–25 (Listen)
Israel’s New Heart and Spirit
14 And the word of the LORD came to me: 15 “Son of man, your brothers, even your brothers, your kinsmen,1 the whole house of Israel, all of them, are those of whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, ‘Go far from the LORD; to us this land is given for a possession.’ 16 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while2 in the countries where they have gone.’ 17 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’ 18 And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. 19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. 21 But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will3 bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord GOD.”
22 Then the cherubim lifted up their wings, with the wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them. 23 And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city and stood on the mountain that is on the east side of the city. 24 And the Spirit lifted me up and brought me in the vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to the exiles. Then the vision that I had seen went up from me. 25 And I told the exiles all the things that the LORD had shown me.
Footnotes
[1] 11:15
[2] 11:16
[3] 11:21
(ESV)
Mark 14:12–25 (Listen)
The Passover with the Disciples
12 And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 13 And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” 16 And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
17 And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18 And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” 20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. 21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”
Institution of the Lord’s Supper
22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the1 covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Footnotes
[1] 14:24
(ESV)
The reading may be followed by a period of silence for reflection, a hymn or
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
and bear much fruit to your glory.
7 The Canticle, A Song of the Blessed
Blessed are the poor in spirit:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn:
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek:
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right:
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful:
for mercy shall be shown to them.
Blessed are the pure in heart:
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn:
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek:
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right:
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful:
for mercy shall be shown to them.
Blessed are the pure in heart:
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3-10
8 The Apostles' Creed may be said
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
9 The Prayers
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
10 The Lord's Prayer and the Collect of the Day
Our Father in heaven
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God,
who gave to your servant N special gifts of grace
to understand and teach the truth in Christ Jesus:
grant that, enlightened by this teaching,
we may know you, the one true God,
and Jesus Christ whom you have sent;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
who gave to your servant N special gifts of grace
to understand and teach the truth in Christ Jesus:
grant that, enlightened by this teaching,
we may know you, the one true God,
and Jesus Christ whom you have sent;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
11 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.
12 The Morning Collect
Lord and heavenly Father,
you have brought us safely to this new day:
keep us by your mighty power, protect us from sin,
guard us from every kind of danger,
and in all we do this day
direct us in the fulfilling of your purpose,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
you have brought us safely to this new day:
keep us by your mighty power, protect us from sin,
guard us from every kind of danger,
and in all we do this day
direct us in the fulfilling of your purpose,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
13
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May the Lord bless us and keep us; the Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious to us; the Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace. Amen.
Numbers 6:24-26
1
O sing to the Lord a new song:
sing to the Lord all the earth.
sing to the Lord all the earth.
Psalm 96:1
Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
2 The Opening Canticle, The Song of the Three
Blessed are you, the God of our forebears:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed is your holy and glorious name:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you, glorious in your holy temple:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you who behold the depths:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you in the heights of heaven:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed is your holy and glorious name:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you, glorious in your holy temple:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you who behold the depths:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you in the heights of heaven:
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Song of the Three 29-34
3 The Opening Prayer
The day is now passed and the night is at hand.
Let us pray with one heart and mind.
Let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence may be kept
Father of lights, receive the prayer and praise we offer you as our evening sacrifice; make us a light for all the world, delivered by your goodness from all the works of darkness; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each
19 You spoke once in a vision and said to your faithful people: •
‘I have set a youth above the mighty;
I have raised a young man over the people.
20 ‘I have found David my servant; •
with my holy oil have I anointed him.
21 ‘My hand shall hold him fast •
and my arm shall strengthen him.
22 ‘No enemy shall deceive him, •
nor any wicked person afflict him.
23 ‘I will strike down his foes before his face •
and beat down those that hate him.
24 ‘My truth also and my steadfast love shall be with him, •
and in my name shall his head be exalted.
25 ‘I will set his dominion upon the sea •
and his right hand upon the rivers.
26 ‘He shall call to me, “You are my Father, •
my God, and the rock of my salvation;”
27 ‘And I will make him my firstborn, •
the most high above the kings of the earth.
28 ‘The love I have pledged to him will I keep for ever, •
and my covenant will stand fast with him.
29 ‘His seed also will I make to endure for ever •
and his throne as the days of heaven.
30 ‘But if his children forsake my law •
and cease to walk in my judgements,
31 ‘If they break my statutes •
and do not keep my commandments,
32 ‘I will punish their offences with a rod •
and their sin with scourges.
33 ‘But I will not take from him my steadfast love •
nor suffer my truth to fail.
34 ‘My covenant will I not break •
nor alter what has gone out of my lips.
35 ‘Once for all have I sworn by my holiness •
that I will not prove false to David.
36 ‘His seed shall endure for ever •
and his throne as the sun before me;
37 ‘It shall stand fast for ever as the moon, •
the enduring witness in the heavens.’
38 But you have cast off and rejected your anointed; •
you have shown fierce anger against him.
39 You have broken the covenant with your servant, •
and have cast his crown to the dust.
40 You have broken down all his walls •
and laid his strongholds in ruins.
41 All who pass by despoil him, •
and he has become the scorn of his neighbours.
42 You have exalted the right hand of his foes •
and made all his enemies rejoice.
43 You have turned back the edge of his sword •
and have not upheld him in battle.
44 You have made an end of his radiance •
and cast his throne to the ground.
45 You have cut short the days of his youth •
and have covered him with shame.
46 How long will you hide yourself so utterly, O Lord? •
How long shall your anger burn like fire?
47 Remember how short my time is, •
how frail you have made all mortal flesh.
48 Which of the living shall not see death, •
and shall deliver their soul from the power of darkness?
49 Where, O Lord, is your steadfast love of old, •
which you swore to David in your faithfulness?
50 Remember, O Lord, how your servant is scorned, •
how I bear in my bosom the taunts of many peoples,
51 While your enemies mock, O Lord, •
while they mock the footsteps of your anointed.
52 Blessed be the Lord for evermore. •
Amen and Amen.
‘I have set a youth above the mighty;
I have raised a young man over the people.
20 ‘I have found David my servant; •
with my holy oil have I anointed him.
21 ‘My hand shall hold him fast •
and my arm shall strengthen him.
22 ‘No enemy shall deceive him, •
nor any wicked person afflict him.
23 ‘I will strike down his foes before his face •
and beat down those that hate him.
24 ‘My truth also and my steadfast love shall be with him, •
and in my name shall his head be exalted.
25 ‘I will set his dominion upon the sea •
and his right hand upon the rivers.
26 ‘He shall call to me, “You are my Father, •
my God, and the rock of my salvation;”
27 ‘And I will make him my firstborn, •
the most high above the kings of the earth.
28 ‘The love I have pledged to him will I keep for ever, •
and my covenant will stand fast with him.
29 ‘His seed also will I make to endure for ever •
and his throne as the days of heaven.
30 ‘But if his children forsake my law •
and cease to walk in my judgements,
31 ‘If they break my statutes •
and do not keep my commandments,
32 ‘I will punish their offences with a rod •
and their sin with scourges.
33 ‘But I will not take from him my steadfast love •
nor suffer my truth to fail.
34 ‘My covenant will I not break •
nor alter what has gone out of my lips.
35 ‘Once for all have I sworn by my holiness •
that I will not prove false to David.
36 ‘His seed shall endure for ever •
and his throne as the sun before me;
37 ‘It shall stand fast for ever as the moon, •
the enduring witness in the heavens.’
38 But you have cast off and rejected your anointed; •
you have shown fierce anger against him.
39 You have broken the covenant with your servant, •
and have cast his crown to the dust.
40 You have broken down all his walls •
and laid his strongholds in ruins.
41 All who pass by despoil him, •
and he has become the scorn of his neighbours.
42 You have exalted the right hand of his foes •
and made all his enemies rejoice.
43 You have turned back the edge of his sword •
and have not upheld him in battle.
44 You have made an end of his radiance •
and cast his throne to the ground.
45 You have cut short the days of his youth •
and have covered him with shame.
46 How long will you hide yourself so utterly, O Lord? •
How long shall your anger burn like fire?
47 Remember how short my time is, •
how frail you have made all mortal flesh.
48 Which of the living shall not see death, •
and shall deliver their soul from the power of darkness?
49 Where, O Lord, is your steadfast love of old, •
which you swore to David in your faithfulness?
50 Remember, O Lord, how your servant is scorned, •
how I bear in my bosom the taunts of many peoples,
51 While your enemies mock, O Lord, •
while they mock the footsteps of your anointed.
52 Blessed be the Lord for evermore. •
Amen and Amen.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
God of grace, we thank you for all your gifts to us; grant us to accept both pain and joy in faith and hope, and never to fail in love to you and to our sisters and brothers; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed
1 Kings 22:1–28 (Listen)
Ahab and the False Prophets
22:1 For three years Syria and Israel continued without war. 2 But in the third year Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. 3 And the king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that Ramoth-gilead belongs to us, and we keep quiet and do not take it out of the hand of the king of Syria?” 4 And he said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to battle at Ramoth-gilead?” And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”
5 And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Inquire first for the word of the LORD.” 6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” 7 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not here another prophet of the LORD of whom we may inquire?” 8 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, Micaiah the son of Imlah, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.” 9 Then the king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Bring quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah.” 10 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting on their thrones, arrayed in their robes, at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying before them. 11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron and said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘With these you shall push the Syrians until they are destroyed.’” 12 And all the prophets prophesied so and said, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph; the LORD will give it into the hand of the king.”
Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab
13 And the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.” 14 But Micaiah said, “As the LORD lives, what the LORD says to me, that I will speak.” 15 And when he had come to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we refrain?” And he answered him, “Go up and triumph; the LORD will give it into the hand of the king.” 16 But the king said to him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?” 17 And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.’” 18 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?” 19 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left; 20 and the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said one thing, and another said another. 21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, saying, ‘I will entice him.’ 22 And the LORD said to him, ‘By what means?’ And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’ 23 Now therefore behold, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the LORD has declared disaster for you.”
24 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “How did the Spirit of the LORD go from me to speak to you?” 25 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide yourself.” 26 And the king of Israel said, “Seize Micaiah, and take him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son, 27 and say, ‘Thus says the king, “Put this fellow in prison and feed him meager rations of bread and water, until I come in peace.”’” 28 And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!”
(ESV)
Acts 22:22–23:11 (Listen)
Paul and the Roman Tribune
22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” 23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips,1 Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.
Paul Before the Council
30 But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.
23:1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” 10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.
11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
Footnotes
[1] 22:25
(ESV)
The reading may be followed by a period of silence for reflection, a hymn or
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
and bear much fruit to your glory.
7 The Canticle, The Song of Simeon (Nunc dimittis)
Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation:
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
A light to reveal you to the nations:
and the glory of your people Israel.
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation:
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
A light to reveal you to the nations:
and the glory of your people Israel.
8 The Prayers
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
9 The Lord's Prayer and the Collect of the Day
Our Father in heaven
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God,
who gave to your servant N special gifts of grace
to understand and teach the truth in Christ Jesus:
grant that, enlightened by this teaching,
we may know you, the one true God,
and Jesus Christ whom you have sent;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
who gave to your servant N special gifts of grace
to understand and teach the truth in Christ Jesus:
grant that, enlightened by this teaching,
we may know you, the one true God,
and Jesus Christ whom you have sent;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
10 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.
11 The Evening Collect
Be present, merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night: that we, who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world, may rest on your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
12
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May Jesus, the Lord of peace, give us peace at all times and in all ways. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 3:16