November 9, 2022 :: Evening Prayer
Wednesday after the Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity
Here beginneth the 32nd chapter of Sirach.
If thou be made the master of a feast, lift not thyself up, but be among them as one of the rest; take diligent care for them, and so sit down.
And when thou hast done all thy office, take thy place, that thou mayest be merry with them, and receive a crown for thy well ordering of the feast.
Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound judgment; and hinder not musick.
Pour not out words where there is a musician, and shew not forth wisdom out of time.
A concert of musick in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold.
As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of musick with pleasant wine.
Speak, young man, if there be need of thee: and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked.
Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.
If thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words.
Before the thunder goeth lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go favour.
Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get thee home without delay.
There take thy pastime, and do what thou wilt: but sin not by proud speech.
And for these things bless him that made thee, and hath replenished thee with his good things.
Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favour.
He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite will be offended thereat.
They that fear the Lord shall find judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.
A sinful man will not be reproved, but findeth an excuse according to his will.
A man of counsel will be considerate; but a strange and proud man is not daunted with fear, even when of himself he hath done without counsel.
Do nothing without advice; and when thou hast once done, repent not.
Go not in a way wherein thou mayest fall, and stumble not among the stones.
Be not confident in a plain way.
And beware of thine own children.
In every good work trust thy own soul; for this is the keeping of the commandments.
He that believeth in the Lord taketh heed to the commandment; and he that trusteth in him shall fare never the worse.
Here endeth the first lesson.
Here beginneth the 5th chapter of 1 Thessalonians.
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
Now we exhort you, brethren, 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.
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Brethren, pray for us.
Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.