FIRST
READING: Job 1:
6 - 22
6
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves
before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.
7
The LORD said to Satan, "Whence have you come?" Satan
answered the LORD, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from
walking up and down on it."
8
And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job,
that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright
man, who fears God and turns away from evil?"
9
Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nought?
10
Hast thou not put a hedge about him and his house and all that he
has, on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his
possessions have increased in the land.
11
But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will
curse thee to thy face."
12
And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your
power; only upon himself do not put forth your hand." So Satan
went forth from the presence of the LORD.
13
Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and
drinking wine in their eldest brother's house;
14
and there came a messenger to Job, and said, "The oxen were
plowing and the asses feeding beside them;
15
and the Sabe'ans fell upon them and took them, and slew the servants
with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you."
16
While he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, "The
fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the
servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you."
17
While he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, "The
Chalde'ans formed three companies, and made a raid upon the camels
and took them, and slew the servants with the edge of the sword; and
I alone have escaped to tell you."
18
While he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, "Your
sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest
brother's house;
19
and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness, and struck the
four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and
they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you."
20
Then Job arose, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell upon
the ground, and worshiped.
21
And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked
shall I return; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed
be the name of the LORD."
22
In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.
PSALM:
Psalms 17:
1 - 3, 6 - 7
1
Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer
from lips free of deceit!
2
From thee let my vindication come! Let thy eyes see the right!
3
If thou triest my heart, if thou visitest me by night, if thou
testest me, thou wilt find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not
transgress.
6
I call upon thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God; incline thy ear to
me, hear my words.
7
Wondrously show thy steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at thy right hand.
GOSPEL:
Luke 9:
46 - 50
46
And an argument arose among them as to which of them was the
greatest.
47
But when Jesus perceived the thought of their hearts, he took a child
and put him by his side,
48
and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name
receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me; for he
who is least among you all is the one who is great."
49
John answered, "Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your
name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us."
50
But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him; for he that is not
against you is for you."
