Book of Common Prayer

Adonai lives! Blessed Be My Rock

Psalm 18

¹³ Once the three of the thirty chiefs went down and came to David at the cave of Adullam during the harvest, while a troop of Philistines was camping in the Valley of Rephaim. ¹⁴ David was then in the stronghold, while the garrison of the Philistines was in Bethlehem. ¹⁵ David said longingly, ‘ “Who would get me water to drink from the well which is by the gate in Bethlehem?” ’ ¹⁶ So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem by the gate, took it and brought it to David. However, he would not drink it but poured it out to Adonai ¹⁷ and he said, “‘Far be it from me, Adonai, that I should do this—the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?’” So he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.

God’s Truth and Blessings Abide Forever

¹ The elder.

To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth—and not I alone, but also all who have come to know the truth— ² because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

³ Grace, mercy, and shalom be with us, from God the Father and from Messiah Yeshua, the Father’s Son, in truth and love!

Lovingly Walk in God’s Truth

⁴ I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we received as a commandment from the Father. ⁵ Now I ask you, dear lady, that we love one another. It is not as though I am writing you a new command, but the one we have had from the beginning. ^{[a] 6} Now this is love: that we walk according to His commands. This is the commandment—just as you heard from the beginning—that you walk in love.

Protect Against Messianic Pretenders

⁷ For many deceivers have gone out into the world—those who do not acknowledge Yeshua as Messiah coming in human flesh. This one is a deceiver and the anti-messiah. ⁸ Watch yourselves, so you do not lose what we have worked for but receive a full reward. ⁹ Anyone who goes too far and does not remain in Messiah’s teaching does not have God. Anyone who remains in this teaching has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not welcome him into your home or even give him a greeting. ¹¹ For the one greeting him shares in his evil deeds.

Brotherly Fellowship Is Joyful

¹² Although I have much to write to you, I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. But I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that our joy may be full.

¹³ The children of your chosen sister send you greetings.^[b]

Water to Wine

2 On the third day, there was a wedding at Cana in the Galilee. Yeshua’s mother was there, ² and Yeshua and His disciples were also invited to the wedding. ³ When the wine ran out, Yeshua’s mother said to Him, “They don’t have any wine!”

⁴ Yeshua said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with you and Me? My hour hasn’t come yet.”

⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”

⁶ Now there were six stone jars, used for the Jewish ritual of purification, each holding two to three measures. ^{[a] 7} Yeshua said to them, “Fill the jars with water!” So they filled them up to the top. ⁸ Then He said to them, “Take some water out, and give it to the headwaiter.” And they brought it.

⁹ Now the headwaiter did not know where it had come from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. As the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, he calls the bridegroom ¹⁰ and says to him, “Everyone brings out the good wine first, and whenever they are drunk, then the worse. But you’ve reserved the good wine until now!” ¹¹ Yeshua did this, the first of the signs, in Cana of the Galilee—He revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.