Sunday 29 October 2006

7For the Lord says,

“Sing with gladness for Jacob,and shout for the chief of the nations.Publish, praise, and say,‘Lord, save your people,the remnant of Israel!’8Behold, I will bring them from the north country,and gather them from the uttermost parts of the earth,along with the blind and the lame,the woman with child and her who travails with child together.They will return as a great company.9They will come with weeping.I will lead them with petitions.I will cause them to walk by rivers of waters,in a straight way in which they won’t stumble;for I am a father to Israel.Ephraim is my firstborn.

1When the Lord brought back those who returned to Zion,we were like those who dream.2Then our mouth was filled with laughter,and our tongue with singing.

2Then they said among the nations,“The Lord has done great things for them.”3The Lord has done great things for us,and we are glad.

4Restore our fortunes again, Lord,like the streams in the Negev.5Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.

6He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing,will certainly come again with joy, carrying his sheaves.

1For every high priest,being taken from among men,is appointed for men in things pertaining to God,that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.2The high priest can deal gently with thosewho are ignorant and going astray,because he himself is also surrounded with weakness.3Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people,as well as for himself.4Nobody takes this honor on himself,but he is called by God,just like Aaron was.5So also Christ didn’t glorify himself to be made a high priest,but it was he who said to him,

“You are my Son.Today I have become your father.”

6As he says also in another place,

“You are a priest forever,after the order of Melchizedek.”

46They came to Jericho.As he went out from Jericho with his disciplesand a great multitude,the son of Timaeus,Bartimaeus, a blind beggar,was sitting by the road.47When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene,he began to cry out and say,“Jesus, you son of David,have mercy on me!”48Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet,but he cried out much more,“You son of David,have mercy on me!”

49Jesus stood still and said, “Call him.”

They called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up!Get up. He is calling you!”

50He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.

51Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

The blind man said to him,“Rabboni, that I may see again.”

52Jesus said to him, “Go your way.Your faith has made you well.”Immediately he received his sightand followed Jesus on the way.