SUNDAY BETWEEN 14 AND 20 AUGUST YEAR B
PROPER 15
TRACK 1
FIRST READING 1 Kings 2.10-12; 3.3-14
A reading from the first book of Kings.
10 David slept with
his ancestors, and was buried in the city of David.
11 The time that
David reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years
in Hebron, and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
12 So Solomon sat
on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly
established.
3 Solomon loved
the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David; only, he
sacrificed and offered incense at the high places.
4 The king went
to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the principal high
place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt-offerings on that
altar.
5 At Gibeon the
LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, 'Ask
what I should give you.'
6 And Solomon said,
'You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father
David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness,
and in uprightness of heart towards you; and you have kept for
him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to
sit on his throne today.
7 And now, O LORD
my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father
David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to
go out or come in.
8 And your servant
is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people,
so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted.
9 Give your servant
therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to
discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great
people?'
10 It pleased the
Lord that Solomon had asked this.
11 God said to him,
'Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself
long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have
asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,
12 I now do according
to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no
one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise
after you.
13 I give you also
what you have not asked, both riches and honour all your life;
no other king shall compare with you.
14 If you will walk
in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father
David walked, then I will lengthen your life.'
PSALM Psalm 111
RR The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
1 Alleluia! I will give thanks to the Lord
with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the
deeds of the Lord! they are studied by all who delight in them.
3 His work is full
of majesty and splendour, and his righteousness endures for ever.
RR
4 He makes his marvellous
works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He gives food
to those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant. RR
6 He has shown his
people the power of his works in giving them the lands of the
nations.
7 The works of his
hands are faithfulness and justice; all his commandments are sure.
8 They stand fast
for ever and ever, because they are done in truth and equity.
RR
9 He sent redemption
to his people; he commanded his covenant for ever; holy and awesome
is his name.
10 The fear of the
Lord is the beginning of wisdom; those who act accordingly have
a good understanding; his praise endures for ever. RR
Or TRACK 2
FIRST READING Proverbs 9.1-6
A reading from the book of Proverbs.
1 Wisdom has built
her house, she has hewn her seven pillars.
2 She has slaughtered
her animals, she has mixed her wine, she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out
her servant-girls, she calls from the highest places in the town,
4 'You that are
simple, turn in here!' To those without sense she says,
5 'Come, eat of
my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 Lay aside immaturity,
and live, and walk in the way of insight.'
PSALM Psalm 34.9-14
RR The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.
or
RR The Lord ransoms the life of his servants.
9 Fear the Lord, you that are his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The young lions
lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack nothing
that is good. RR
11 Come, children,
and listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who among you
loves life and desires long life to enjoy prosperity? RR
13 Keep your tongue
from evil-speaking and your lips from lying words.
14 Turn from evil
and do good; seek peace and pursue it. RR
SECOND READING Ephesians 5.15-20
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Ephesians.
Brothers and sisters,
15 be careful then
how you live, not as unwise people but as wise,
16 making the most
of the time, because the days are evil.
17 So do not be
foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 Do not get drunk
with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit,
19 as you sing psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making
melody to the Lord in your hearts,
20 giving thanks
to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
GOSPEL John 6.51-58
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Jesus said to the crowd:
51 'I am the living
bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will
live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of
the world is my flesh.'
52 The Jews then
disputed among themselves, saying, 'How can this man give us his
flesh to eat?'
53 So Jesus said
to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of
the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
54 Those who eat
my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise
them up on the last day;
55 for my flesh
is true food and my blood is true drink.
56 Those who eat
my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.
57 Just as the living
Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats
me will live because of me.
58 This is the bread
that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors
ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live
for ever.'
