Wednesday 20 June 2012

1When the Lord was about to take Elijah up by a whirlwind into heaven,Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.

· · · verses 2–5 are not read6Elijah said to him,“Please wait here,for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.”

He said, “As the Lord lives,and as your soul lives,I will not leave you.”Then they both went on.7Fifty men of the sons of the prophets wentand stood opposite them at a distance;and they both stood by the Jordan.8Elijah took his mantle,and rolled it up, and struck the waters;and they were divided here and there,so that they both went over on dry ground.9When they had gone over,Elijah said to Elisha,“Ask what I shall do for you,before I am taken from you.”

Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be on me.”

10He said, “You have asked a hard thing.If you see me when I am taken from you,it will be so for you;but if not, it will not be so.”

11As they continued on and talked,behold, a chariot of fireand horses of fire separated them;and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.12Elisha saw it, and he cried,“My father, my father,the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”

He saw him no more.Then he took hold of his own clothesand tore them in two pieces.13He also took up Elijah’s mantle that fell from him,and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan.14He took Elijah’s mantle that fell from him,and struck the waters,and said, “Where is the Lord,the God of Elijah?”When he also had struck the waters,they were divided apart,and Elisha went over.

20Oh how great is your goodness,which you have laid up for those who fear you,which you have worked for those who take refuge in you,before the sons of men!

21In the shelter of your presence you will hide them from the plotting of man.You will keep them secretly in a dwelling away from the strife of tongues.

24Oh love the Lord, all you his saints!The Lord preserves the faithful,and fully recompenses him who behaves arrogantly.

1“Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men,to be seen by them,or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.2Therefore, when you do merciful deeds,don’t sound a trumpet before yourself,as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets,that they may get glory from men.Most certainly I tell you,they have received their reward.3But when you do merciful deeds,don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does,4so that your merciful deeds may be in secret,then your Fatherwho sees in secret will reward you openly.

5“When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites,for they love to stand and pray in the synagoguesand in the corners of the streets,that they may be seen by men.Most certainly, I tell you,they have received their reward.6But you, when you pray,enter into your inner room,and having shut your door,pray to your Father who is in secret;and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

· · · verses 7–15 are not read16“Moreover when you fast,don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces.For they disfigure their facesthat they may be seen by men to be fasting.Most certainly I tell you,they have received their reward.17But you, when you fast,anoint your head and wash your face,18so that you are not seen by men to be fasting,but by your Father who is in secret;and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.