Friday, November 6
St Paul the Confessor of Constantinople
Appointed readings
2 passagesEpistle
1 Thessalonians 2:14–19
14For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,
15who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men,
16forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
17But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.
18Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.
19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
Gospel
Luke 12:2–12
2For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.
3Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
4'And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
6'Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God.
7But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
8'Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.
9But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
10'And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.
11'Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say.
12For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.'