Readings for 8 March 2028
24 February 2028 on the Old calendar
Liturgical colour: purple
Old Testament (Vespers): Genesis 4:16-26
Translation: Brenton's English Septuagint
16So Cain went forth from the presence of God and dwelt in the land of Nod over against Edem. 17And Cain knew his wife, and having conceived she bore Enoch; and he built a city; and he named the city after the name of his son, Enoch. 18And to Enoch was born Gaidad; and Gaidad begot Maleleel; and Maleleel begot Mathusala; and Mathusala begot Lamech. 19And Lamech took to himself two wives; the name of the one was Ada, and the name of the second Sella. 20And Ada bore Jobel; he was the father of those that dwell in tents, feeding cattle. 21And the name of his brother was Jubal; he it was who invented the psaltery and harp. 22And Sella also bore Thobel; he was a smith, a manufacturer both of brass and iron; and the sister of Thobel was Noëma. 23And Lamech said to his wives, Ada and Sella, Hear my voice, ye wives of Lamech, consider my words, because I have slain a man to my sorrow and a youth to my grief. 24Because vengeance has been exacted seven times on Cain's behalf, on Lamech's it shall be seventy times seven. 25And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore a son, and called his name Seth, saying, For God has raised up to me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. 26And Seth had a son, and he called his name Enos: he hoped to call on the name of the Lord God.
Old Testament (Vespers): Proverbs 5:15-6:3
Translation: Brenton's English Septuagint
15Drink waters out of thine own vessels, and out of thine own springing wells. 16Let not waters out of thy fountain be spilt by thee, but let thy waters go into thy streets. 17Let them be only thine own, and let no stranger partake with thee. 18Let thy fountain of water be truly thine own; and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. 19Let thy loving hart and thy graceful colt company with thee, and let her be considered thine own, and be with thee at all times; for ravished with her love thou shalt be greatly increased. 20Be not intimate with a strange woman, neither fold thyself in the arms of a woman not thine own. 21For the ways of a man are before the eyes of God, and he looks on all his paths. 22Iniquities ensnare a man, and every one is bound in the chains of his own sins. 23Such a man dies with the uninstructed; and he is cast forth from the abundance of his own substance, and has perished through folly. 6:1My son, if thou become surety for thy friend, thou shalt deliver thine hand to an enemy. 2For a man's own lips become a strong snare to him, and he is caught with the lips of his own mouth. 3My son, do what I command thee, and deliver thyself; for on thy friend's account thou art come into the power of evil men: faint not, but stir up even thy friend for whom thou art become surety.
Old Testament (Vespers): Isaiah 43:9-14
Translation: Brenton's English Septuagint
9All the nations are gathered together, and princes shall be gathered out of them: who will declare these things? or who will declare to you things from the beginning? let them bring forth their witnesses, and be justified; and let them hear, and declare the truth. 10Be ye my witnesses, and I too am a witness, saith the Lord God, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know, and believe, and understand that I am he: before me there was no other God, and after me there shall be none. 11I am God; and beside me there is no Saviour. 12I have declared, and have saved; I have reproached, and there was no strange god among you: ye are my witnesses, and I am the Lord God, 13even from the beginning; and there is none that can deliver out of my hands: I will work, and who shall turn it back? 14Thus saith the Lord God that redeems you, the Holy One of Israel; For your sakes I will send to Babylon, and I will stir up all that flee, and the Chaldeans shall be bound in ships.
Old Testament (Vespers): Wisdom 3:1-9
Translation: Brenton's English Septuagint
1But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. 2In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, 3and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. 4For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. 5And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. 6As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering. 7And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. 8They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. 9They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints, and he hath care for his elect.
Old Testament (Vespers): Wisdom 5:15-6:3
Translation: Brenton's English Septuagint
15But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the most High. 16Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord's hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them. 17He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armour, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies. 18He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of an helmet. 19He shall take holiness for an invincible shield. 20His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise. 21Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark. 22And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them. 23Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty. 6:1Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth. 2Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations. 3For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.