Book of Common Prayer

Prayer for God’s Mercy upon the Nation.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

The Privileges of Citizenship in Zion.

A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song.

Thanks for the Lord’s Goodness to Israel.

¹⁴ So when the people set out from their tents to cross over the Jordan with the priests who were carrying the ark of the covenant before the people, ¹⁵ and when those who were carrying the ark came up to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were submerged at the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all of its banks throughout the time of harvest), ¹⁶ the waters which were flowing down from above stopped and rose up in one mass a great distance away at ^[a]Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan. Those [waters] flowing downward toward the sea of the Arabah, the ^[b]Salt Sea, were completely cut off. So the people crossed [the river] opposite Jericho.^{(A) 17} And while all [the people of] Israel crossed over on dry ground, the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan [riverbed], until all the nation had finished crossing over the Jordan.

Memorial Stones from Jordan

4 So it was when all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, ² “Take for yourselves the twelve men [chosen] from among the people, one man from each tribe, ³ and command them, ‘Pick up for yourselves twelve stones [one each] from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet are standing firm; carry them over with you and lay them down at the place where you will spend the night tonight.’” ⁴ Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe; ⁵ and Joshua said to them, “Cross over again to the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel, ⁶ so that this may be a sign among you; when your children ask later, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ ⁷ then you shall say to them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall become a memorial for Israel forever.”

Be Imitators of God

5 Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; ² and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.^(A)

³ But sexual immorality and all [moral] impurity [indecent, offensive behavior] or greed must not even be hinted at among you, as is proper among saints [for as believers our way of life, whether in public or in private, reflects the validity of our faith]. ⁴ Let there be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse [obscene or vulgar] joking, because such things are not appropriate [for believers]; but instead speak of your thankfulness [to God]. ⁵ For be sure of this: no immoral, impure, or greedy person—for that one is [in effect] an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God [for such a person places a higher value on something other than God].

⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty arguments [that encourage you to sin], for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience [those who habitually sin].^{(B) 7} So do not participate or even associate with them [in the rebelliousness of sin]. ⁸ For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light] ⁹ (for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), ¹⁰ trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him—your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation]. ¹¹ Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character]; ¹² for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that such people practice in secret. ¹³ But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light [of God’s precepts], for ^[a]it is light that makes everything visible. ¹⁴ For this reason He says,

¹⁵ Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], ^16 [b]making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him.^{(D) 19 [c]}Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, [offering praise by] singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Healing the Man Born Blind

9 While He was passing by, He noticed a man [who had been] blind from birth. ² His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi (Teacher), who ^[a]sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” ³ Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but it was so that the works of God might be displayed and illustrated in him. ⁴ We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. ⁵ As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world [giving guidance through My word and works].” ⁶ When He had said this, He spat on the ground and made mud with His saliva, and He spread the mud [like an ointment] on the man’s eyes. ⁷ And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of ^[b]Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing. ⁸ So the neighbors, and those who used to know him as a beggar, said, “Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?” ⁹ Some said, “It is he.” Still others said, “No, but he looks like him.” But he kept saying, “I am the man.” ¹⁰ So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” ¹¹ He replied, “The Man called Jesus made mud and smeared it on my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received my sight!” ¹² They asked him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.”

Jesus Affirms His Deity

³⁵ Jesus heard that they had ^[a]put him out [of the synagogue], and finding him, He asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” ³⁶ He answered, “Who is He, Sir? Tell me so that I may believe in Him.” ³⁷ Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and [in fact] He is the one who is talking with you.” ³⁸ And he said, “Lord, I believe [in You and Your word]!” And he worshiped Him [with reverence and awe].