Saturday, September 25
Repose of Ven. Sergius of Radonezh
Appointed readings
7 passagesVespers · Old Testament
Proverbs 10:31–11:12
31A righteous man will never fail, But the ungodly shall not inhabit the earth.
32The mouth of a righteous man distills wisdom, But the tongue of an unrighteous man utterly destroys.
33The lips of righteous men distill grace, But the mouth of the ungodly is perverse.
1Deceitful scales are an abomination before the Lord, But a righteous weight is acceptable to Him.
2Wherever arrogance enters, there also is dishonor, But the mouth of the humble meditates on wisdom.
3When a righteous man dies, he leaves regret, But the destruction of the ungodly is immediate and brings joy.
4Righteousness cuts straight and blameless paths, But ungodliness embraces wrongdoing.
5The righteousness of upright men delivers them, But lawless men are taken to their destruction.
6When a righteous man dies, his hope does not perish, But the boast of the ungodly perishes.
7A righteous man escapes from a snare, But the ungodly man is handed over in his place.
8There is a snare for citizens in the mouth of the ungodly, But the perception of the righteous is prosperous.
9A city stays upright in the good things of the righteous, But it is razed to the ground by the mouths of the ungodly.
10A man in need of discernment treats citizens with contempt, But a man of discernment keeps quiet.
11A double-tongued man reveals deliberations heard in council, But a man faithful in spirit conceals matters.
12Those for whom there is no leadership fall like leaves, But there is salvation in much counsel.
Vespers · Old Testament
Wisdom of Solomon 3:1–9
1But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, And no torture will ever touch them.
2In the eyes of the undiscerning they seemed to have died, And their departure was considered to be misfortune,
3And their passage from us to be their destruction; But they are at peace.
4For though in man's view they were punished, Their hope is full of immortality.
5Though chastened in a few things, Great kindness will be shown them, For God tested them and found them worthy of Himself.
6He tested them like gold in a furnace And accepted them as a whole burnt offering.
7In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, And they will run about like sparks through straw.
8They will judge nations and rule over peoples, And the Lord shall reign over them unto the ages.
9Those who trust in Him will understand truth, And the faithful shall continue with Him in love, Because grace and mercy are upon His elect.
Matins · Gospel
Matthew 11:27–30
27All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
28Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.'
Epistle
1 Corinthians 4:1–5
1Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
4For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.
5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.
Epistle
Galatians 5:22–6:2
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
1Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
2Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Gospel
Luke 4:31–36
31Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths.
32And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority.
33Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice,
34saying, 'Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!'
35But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 'Be quiet, and come out of him!' And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him.
36Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, 'What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.'
Gospel
Luke 6:17–23
17And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases,
18as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed.
19And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.
20'Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh.
22Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake.
23Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.