Readings for 13 September 2028
31 August 2028 on the Old calendar
Liturgical colour: dark (strict fast)
Epistle: Galatians 3:15-22
Translation: World English Bible
15Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void or adds to it. 16Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his offspring. He doesn’t say, “To descendants”, as of many, but as of one, “To your offspring”, which is Christ. 17Now I say this: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect. 18For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise. 19Then why is there the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one. 21Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law. 22But the Scripture imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Gospel: Mark 6:7-13
Translation: World English Bible
7He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse, 9but to wear sandals, and not put on two tunics. 10He said to them, “Wherever you enter into a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11Whoever will not receive you nor hear you, as you depart from there, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony against them. Assuredly, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” 12They went out and preached that people should repent. 13They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick and healed them.
Epistle: Galatians 3:23-4:5
Translation: World English Bible
23But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to promise. 4:1But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all, 2but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father. 3So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world. 4But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, 5that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as children.
Gospel: Mark 6:30-45
Translation: World English Bible
30The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught. 31He said to them, “Come away into a deserted place, and rest awhile.” For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33They saw them going, and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him. 34Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 35When it was late in the day, his disciples came to him and said, “This place is deserted, and it is late in the day. 36Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat.” 37But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They asked him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?” 38He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go see.” When they knew, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39He commanded them that everyone should sit down in groups on the green grass. 40They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties. 41He took the five loaves and the two fish; and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves, and he gave to his disciples to set before them, and he divided the two fish among them all. 42They all ate and were filled. 43They took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and also of the fish. 44Those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. 45Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitude away.
Epistle: Hebrews 3:1-4
Translation: World English Bible
1Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession: Jesus, 2who was faithful to him who appointed him, as also Moses was in all his house. 3For he has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, because he who built the house has more honor than the house. 4For every house is built by someone; but he who built all things is God.
Gospel: Matthew 16:13-18
Translation: World English Bible
13Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
Old Testament (Vespers): 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30
Translation: Brenton's English Septuagint
22And Solomon stood up in front of the altar before all the congregation of Israel; and he spread out his hands toward heaven: 23and he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee in heaven above and on the earth beneath, keeping covenant and mercy with thy servant who walks before thee with all his heart; 27But will God indeed dwell with men upon the earth? if the heaven and heaven of heavens will not suffice thee, how much less even this house which I have built to thy name? 28Yet, O Lord God of Israel, thou shalt look upon my petition, to hear the prayer which thy servant prays to thee in thy presence this day, 29that thine eyes may be open toward this house day and night, even toward the place of which thou saidst, My name shall be there, to hear the prayer which thy servant prays at this place day and night. 30And thou shalt hearken to the prayer of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall pray toward this place; and thou shalt hear in thy dwelling-place in heaven, and thou shalt do and be gracious.
Old Testament (Vespers): Proverbs 3:19-34
Translation: Brenton's English Septuagint
19God by wisdom founded the earth, and by prudence he prepared the heavens. 20By understanding were the depths broken up, and the clouds dropped water. 21My son, let them not pass from thee, but keep my counsel and understanding: 22that thy soul may live, and that there may be grace round thy neck; and it shall be health to thy flesh, and safety to thy bones: 23that thou mayest go confidently in peace in all thy ways, and that thy foot may not stumble. 24For if thou rest, thou shalt be undismayed; and if thou sleep, thou shalt slumber sweetly. 25And thou shalt not be afraid of alarm coming upon thee, neither of approaching attacks of ungodly men. 26For the Lord shall be over all thy ways, and shall establish thy foot that thou be not moved. 27Forbear not to do good to the poor, whensoever thy hand may have power to help him. 28Say not, Come back another time, to-morrow I will give; while thou art able to do him good: for thou knowest not what the next day will bring forth. 29Devise not evil against thy friend, living near thee and trusting in thee. 30Be not ready to quarrel with a man without a cause, lest he do thee some harm. 31Procure not the reproaches of bad men, neither do thou covet their ways. 32For every transgressor is unclean before the Lord; neither does he sit among the righteous. 33The curse of God is in the houses of the ungodly; but the habitations of the just are blessed. 34The Lord resists the proud; but he gives grace to the humble.
Old Testament (Vespers): Proverbs 9:1-11
Translation: Brenton's English Septuagint
1Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars. 2She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine in a bowl, and prepared her table. 3She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying, 4Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that want understanding she says, 5Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you. 6Leave folly, that ye may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge. 7He that reproves evil men shall get dishonour to himself; and he that rebukes an ungodly man shall disgrace himself. 8Rebuke not evil men, lest they should hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9Give an opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more instruction. 10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of saints is understanding: for to know the law is the character of a sound mind. 11For in this way thou shalt live long, and years of thy life shall be added to thee.