Thursday 7 July 2016

1“When Israel was a child, then I loved him,

and called my son out of Egypt.2They called to them, so they went from them.They sacrificed to the Baals,and burned incense to engraved images.3Yet I taught Ephraim to walk.I took them by their arms,but they didn’t know that I healed them.4I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love;and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks;and I bent down to him and I fed him.· · · verses 5–7 are not read8“How can I give you up, Ephraim?How can I hand you over, Israel?How can I make you like Admah?How can I make you like Zeboiim?My heart is turned within me,my compassion is aroused.9I will not execute the fierceness of my anger.I will not return to destroy Ephraim,for I am God, and not man—the Holy One among you.I will not come in wrath.

2Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,you who lead Joseph like a flock,you who sit above the cherubim, shine out.

3Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up your might!Come to save us!

15Turn again, we beg you, God of Armies.Look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vine,16the stock which your right hand planted,the branch that you made strong for yourself.

7As you go, preach,saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons.Freely you received, so freely give.9Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts.10Take no bag for your journey,neither two coats,nor sandals, nor staff:for the laborer is worthy of his food.11Into whatever city or village you enter,find out who in it is worthy,and stay there until you go on.12As you enter into the household, greet it.13If the household is worthy,let your peace come on it,but if it isn’t worthy,let your peace return to you.14Whoever doesn’t receive you or hear your words,as you go out of that house or that city,shake the dust off your feet.15Most certainly I tell you,it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodomand Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.