November 4, 2022 :: Morning Prayer
Friday after the Twentieth Sunday after Trinity
Here beginneth the 20th chapter of Sirach.
There is a reproof that is not comely: again, some man holdeth his tongue, and he is wise.
It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly: and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt.
How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so shalt thou escape wilful sin.
As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; so is he that executeth judgment with violence.
There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise: and another by much babbling becometh hateful.
Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer: and some keepeth silence, knowing his time.
A wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time.
He that useth many words shall be abhorred; and he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.
There is a sinner that hath good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss.
There is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there is a gift whose recompence is double.
There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate.
There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it sevenfold.
A wise man by his words maketh himself beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.
The gift of a fool shall do thee no good when thou hast it; neither yet of the envious for his necessity: for he looketh to receive many things for one.
He giveth little, and upbraideth much; he openeth his mouth like a crier; to day he lendeth, and to morrow will he ask it again: such an one is to be hated of God and man.
The fool saith, I have no friends, I have no thank for all my good deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil of me.
How oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to scorn! for he knoweth not aright what it is to have; and it is all one unto him as if he had it not.
To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.
A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool's mouth; for he will not speak it in due season.
There is that is hindered from sinning through want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.
There is that destroyeth his own soul through bashfulness, and by accepting of persons overthroweth himself.
There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.
A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.
A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie: but they both shall have destruction to heritage.
The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.
A wise man shall promote himself to honour with his words: and he that hath understanding will please great men.
He that tilleth his land shall increase his heap: and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.
Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.
Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?
Better is he that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom.
Necessary patience in seeking the Lord is better than he that leadeth his life without a guide.
Here endeth the first lesson.
Here beginneth the 20th chapter of Luke.
And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,
And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.
And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.
And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.
And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.
And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.
Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.
But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.
And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.
And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:
Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cæsar, or no?
But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?
Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Cæsar's.
And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar's, and unto God the things which be God's.
And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,
Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.
And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.
And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
Last of all the woman died also.
Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.
And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.
Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.
And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.
And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?
Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?
Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,
Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.