READINGS
Nehemiah 8:1-12
adaption by Clinton Graham
All the people gathered together as one in the square at the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the priest to bring out the Books of Moses, where God had given the Law to Israel.
So Ezra brought out the Books of the Law, before the assembly of men, of women, and of all who could listen with understanding. He read from it, there in the square, in front of the Gate, from early morning until midday. He read in the presence of the men, of the women, and of all who could understand. Everyone listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
Now Ezra was standing on a raised platform, and was surrounded by elders. When he opened the Book, everyone could see him, and everyone stood up, and called out, "Amen, so be it!"; then the whole assembly bowed low and worshiped God.
There were elders among the people, too. As the Book of the Law was read, the elders explained the reading to give sense to the meaning, so that everyone understood the reading.
But with the reading explained, all the people were cut to the heart, and all the people were weeping with their understanding.
Now, Nehemiah the governor, and Ezra the priest, and all the elders teaching among the people said, "This is a day set apart for God: don't mourn, don't weep."
"Rather, go and eat rich foods; drink sweet drinks; and share what good you have with those who have nothing prepared. Don't mourn, don't weep. The joy of the Lord is your strength."
So the elders reassured the people, and the people went away to eat. They went away to drink. And they went away to share with those that had nothing prepared.
That day they went away to celebrate a festival, because that day they heard and understood the words explained to them.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21
New International Version
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land God swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.
Psalm 119:103-105
Modern English Version (ed.)
How sweet are Your words to my taste!
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through Your precepts I receive understanding;
therefore I reject every false way.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
New International Version
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Hebrews 4:12-13
Common English Bible
God’s word is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates to the point that it separates the soul from the spirit and the joints from the marrow. It’s able to judge the heart’s thoughts and intentions. No creature is hidden from it, but rather everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of the one to whom we have to give an answer.
The H. Scriptures II
George Herbert
(spelling modernized)
Oh that I knew how all thy lights combine,
And the configurations of their glory!
Seeing not only how each verse doth shine,
But all the constellations of the story.
This verse marks that, and both do make a motion
Unto a third, that ten leaves off doth lie:
Then as dispersed herbs do watch a potion,
These three make up some Christians destiny:
​Such are thy secrets, which my life makes good,
And comments on thee: for in ev'ry thing
Thy words do find me out, & parallels bring,
And in another make me understood.
Stars are poor books, & oftentimes do miss:
This book of stars lights to eternal bliss.
But the Most High God doesn't live in houses made by humans. It is just as the prophet said, when he spoke for God.