Book of Common Prayer

Psalm 103^[a]

Praise of Divine Goodness

¹ Of David.

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Chapter 47

The Wonderful Stream.^{[a] 1} Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and there! I saw water flowing out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east. The water flowed out toward the right side of the temple to the south of the altar.^{(A) 2} He brought me by way of the north gate and around the outside to the outer gate facing east; there I saw water trickling from the southern side. ³ When he continued eastward with a measuring cord in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and had me wade through the water; it was ankle-deep. ⁴ He measured off another thousand cubits and once more had me wade through the water; it was up to the knees. He measured another thousand cubits and had me wade through the water; it was up to my waist. ⁵ Once more he measured off a thousand cubits. Now it was a river I could not wade across. The water had risen so high, I would have to swim—a river that was impassable. ⁶ Then he asked me, “Do you see this, son of man?” He brought me to the bank of the river and had me sit down. ⁷ As I was returning, I saw along the bank of the river a great many trees on each side.^{(B) 8} He said to me, “This water flows out into the eastern district, runs down into the Arabah and empties into the polluted waters of the sea^[b] to freshen them.^{(C) 9} Wherever it flows, the river teems with every kind of living creature; fish will abound. Where these waters flow they refresh; everything lives where the river goes. ¹⁰ Fishermen will stand along its shore from En-gedi to En-eglaim;^[c] it will become a place for drying nets, and it will abound with as many kinds of fish as the Great Sea.^{(D) 11} Its marshes and swamps shall not be made fresh, but will be left for salt. ¹² Along each bank of the river every kind of fruit tree will grow; their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fresh fruit because the waters of the river flow out from the sanctuary. Their fruit is used for food, and their leaves for healing.”^(E)

The New Israel

Boundaries of the Land.^[d]

I. The Prologue^[a]

Chapter 1

¹ Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us,^{(A) 2} just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,^{(B) 3} I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴ so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.

Psalm 67^[a]

Harvest Thanks and Petition

¹ For the leader; with stringed instruments. A psalm; a song.

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Psalm 96^[a]

God of the Universe

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I. The Preparation for the Christian Mission

Chapter 1^[a]

The Promise of the Spirit. ¹ In the first book,^(A) Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught ² until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.^{(B) 3} He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days^[b] and speaking about the kingdom of God.^{(C) 4} While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father^[c] about which you have heard me speak;^{(D) 5} for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the holy Spirit.”^(E)

The Ascension of Jesus. ⁶ When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going^[d] to restore the kingdom to Israel?” ^7 [e]He answered them,^(F) “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. ^8 [f]But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you,^(G) and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”