Sunday 18 November 2029

10Who can find a worthy woman?For her value is far above rubies.11The heart of her husband trusts in her.He shall have no lack of gain.12She does him good, and not harm,all the days of her life.13She seeks wool and flax,and works eagerly with her hands.· · · verses 14–18 are not read19She lays her hands to the distaff,and her hands hold the spindle.20She opens her arms to the poor;yes, she extends her hands to the needy.· · · verses 21–29 are not read30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain;but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.31Give her of the fruit of her hands!Let her works praise her in the gates!

1Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,who walks in his ways.2For you will eat the labor of your hands.You will be happy, and it will be well with you.

3Your wife will be as a fruitful vine in the innermost parts of your house,your children like olive shoots around your table.

4Behold, this is how the man who fears the Lord is blessed.5May the Lord bless you out of Zion,and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

1But concerning the times and the seasons,brothers, you have no needthat anything be written to you.2For you yourselves know wellthat the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.3For when they are saying,“Peace and safety,”then sudden destruction will come on them,like birth pains on a pregnant woman.Then they will in no way escape.4But you, brothers,aren’t in darkness,that the day should overtake you like a thief.5You are all children of light and children of the day.We don’t belong to the night, nor to darkness,6so then let’s not sleep,as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober.

14“For it is like a man going into another country,who called his own servantsand entrusted his goods to them.15To one he gave five talents,to another two, to another one,to each according to his own ability.Then he went on his journey.16Immediately he who received the five talents wentand traded with them,and made another five talents.17In the same way, he alsowho got the two gained another two.18But he who received the one talent went awayand dug in the earth and hid his lord’s money.

19“Now after a long time the lord of those servants came,and settled accounts with them.20He who received the five talents cameand brought another five talents,saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents.Behold, I have gained another five talents in addition to them.’

21“His lord said to him,‘Well done, good and faithful servant.You have been faithful over a few things,I will set you over many things.Enter into the joy of your lord.’

22“He also who got the two talents came and said,‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents.Behold, I have gained another two talents in addition to them.’

23“His lord said to him,‘Well done, good and faithful servant.You have been faithful over a few things.I will set you over many things.Enter into the joy of your lord.’

24“He also who had received the one talent came and said,‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man,reaping where you didn’t sow,and gathering where you didn’t scatter.25I was afraid, and went awayand hid your talent in the earth.Behold, you have what is yours.’

26“But his lord answered him,‘You wicked and slothful servant.You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow,and gather where I didn’t scatter.27You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers,and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest.28Take away therefore the talent from himand give it to him who has the ten talents.29For to everyone who has will be given,and he will have abundance,but from him who doesn’t have,even that which he has will be taken away.30Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness,where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’