Orthodox Study
From the calendar 2026

Wednesday, January 14

Leavetaking of Theophany

Appointed readings

2 passages

Epistle

James 3:11–4:6

Open Reader ↗

11Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?

12Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

14But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

15This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

16For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

18Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

1Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?

2You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

3You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

4Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

5Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, 'The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously'?

6But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.'

Gospel

Mark 10:11–16

Open Reader ↗

11So He said to them, 'Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.

12And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.'

13Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

14But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

15Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.

16And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

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