Bible Readings for Saturday, June 11th, 2011 – The Week of Pentecost

*Click on each bible passage to expand the text.

Psalm 33:12-22

12. Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.

13. The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all humankind.

14. From where he sits enthroned he watches all the inhabitants of the earth–

15. he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds.

16. A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.

17. The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save.

18. Truly the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,

19. to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

20. Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and shield.

21. Our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.

22. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

Exodus 20:1-21

1. Then God spoke all these words:

2. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery;

3. you shall have no other gods before me.

4. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

5. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me,

6. but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.

7. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.

8. Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy.

9. Six days you shall labor and do all your work.

10. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any work– you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns.

11. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it.

12. Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

13. You shall not murder.

14. You shall not commit adultery.

15. You shall not steal.

16. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

17. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

18. When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid and trembled and stood at a distance,

19. and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die.”

20. Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come only to test you and to put the fear of him upon you so that you do not sin.”

21. Then the people stood at a distance, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

Matthew 5:1-12

1. When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.

2. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

12. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.