November 13, 2021 :: Evening Prayer
Saturday after the Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity
Here beginneth the 40th chapter of Sirach.
Great travail is created for every man, and an heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day that they go out of their mother's womb, till the day that they return to the mother of all things.
Their imagination of things to come, and the day of death, trouble their thoughts, and cause fear of heart;
From him that sitteth on a throne of glory, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes;
From him that weareth purple and a crown, unto him that is clothed with a linen frock.
Wrath, and envy, trouble, and unquietness, fear of death, and anger, and strife, and in the time of rest upon his bed his night sleep, do change his knowledge.
A little or nothing is his rest, and afterward he is in his sleep, as in a day of keeping watch, troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he were escaped out of a battle.
When all is safe, he awaketh, and marvelleth that the fear was nothing.
Such things happen unto all flesh, both man and beast, and that is sevenfold more upon sinners.
Death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, calamities, famine, tribulation, and the scourge;
These things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood.
All things that are of the earth shall turn to the earth again: and that which is of the waters doth return into the sea.
All bribery and injustice shall be blotted out: but true dealing shall endure for ever.
The goods of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall vanish with noise, like a great thunder in rain.
While he openeth his hand he shall rejoice: so shall transgressors come to nought.
The children of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches: but are as unclean roots upon a hard rock.
The weed growing upon every water and bank of a river shall be pulled up before all grass.
Bountifulness is as a most fruitful garden, and mercifulness endureth for ever.
To labour, and to be content with that a man hath, is a sweet life: but he that findeth a treasure is above them both.
Children and the building of a city continue a man's name: but a blameless wife is counted above them both.
Wine and musick rejoice the heart: but the love of wisdom is above them both.
The pipe and the psaltery make sweet melody: but a pleasant tongue is above them both.
Thine eye desireth favour and beauty: but more than both corn while it is green.
A friend and companion never meet amiss: but above both is a wife with her husband.
Brethren and help are against time of trouble: but alms shall deliver more than them both.
Gold and silver make the foot stand sure: but counsel is esteemed above them both.
Riches and strength lift up the heart: but the fear of the Lord is above them both: there is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek help.
The fear of the Lord is a fruitful garden, and covereth him above all glory.
My son, lead not a beggar's life; for better it is to die than to beg.
The life of him that dependeth on another man's table is not to be counted for a life; for he polluteth himself with other men's meat: but a wise man well nurtured will beware thereof.
Begging is sweet in the mouth of the shameless: but in his belly there shall burn a fire.
Here endeth the first lesson.
Here beginneth the 1st chapter of 1 Timothy.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
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.
This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
Of whom is Hymenæus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.