November 2, 2022 :: Evening Prayer
Wednesday after the Twentieth Sunday after Trinity
Here beginneth the 17th chapter of Sirach.
The Lord created man of the earth, and turned him into it again.
He gave them few days, and a short time, and power also over the things therein.
He endued them with strength by themselves, and made them according to his image,
And put the fear of man upon all flesh, and gave him dominion over beasts and fowls.
They received the use of the five operations of the Lord, and in the sixth place he imparted them understanding, and in the seventh speech, an interpreter of the cogitations thereof.
Counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, ears, and a heart, gave he them to understand.
Withal he filled them with the knowledge of understanding, and shewed them good and evil.
He set his eye upon their hearts, that he might shew them the greatness of his works.
He gave them to glory in his marvellous acts for ever, that they might declare his works with understanding.
And the elect shall praise his holy name.
Beside this he gave them knowledge, and the law of life for an heritage.
He made an everlasting covenant with them, and shewed them his judgments.
Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard his glorious voice.
And he said unto them, Beware of all unrighteousness; and he gave every man commandment concerning his neighbour.
Their ways are ever before him, and shall not be hid from his eyes.
Every man from his youth is given to evil; neither could they make to themselves fleshy hearts for stony.
For in the division of the nations of the whole earth he set a ruler over every people; but Israel is the Lord's portion:
Whom, being his firstborn, he nourisheth with discipline, and giving him the light of his love doth not forsake him.
Therefore all their works are as the sun before him, and his eyes are continually upon their ways.
None of their unrighteous deeds are hid from him, but all their sins are before the Lord.
But the Lord being gracious, and knowing his workmanship, neither left nor forsook them, but spared them.
The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and he will keep the good deeds of man as the apple of the eye, and give repentance to his sons and daughters.
Afterwards he will rise up and reward them, and render their recompence upon their heads.
But unto them that repent, he granted them return, and comforted those that failed in patience.
Return unto the Lord, and forsake thy sins, make thy prayer before his face, and offend less.
Turn again to the most High, and turn away from iniquity: for he will lead thee out of darkness into the light of health, and hate thou abomination vehemently.
Who shall praise the most High in the grave, instead of them which live and give thanks?
Thanksgiving perisheth from the dead, as from one that is not: the living and sound in heart shall praise the Lord.
How great is the lovingkindness of the Lord our God, and his compassion unto such as turn unto him in holiness!
For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal.
What is brighter than the sun? yet the light thereof faileth: and flesh and blood will imagine evil.
He vieweth the power of the height of heaven; and all men are but earth and ashes.
Here endeth the first lesson.
Here beginneth the 2nd chapter of Colossians.
For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
(Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.