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[A]
THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD

INTROIT: All kings bow to HIM and all nations will serve HIM.  O God, give YOUR holy Son the power to judge with righteousness and honesty.  Because HE will help the poor people shouting for help, and HE will help the suffering people that no one else will help.  HE will show mercy and save the weak people from death.  HE will save those slave people and those suffering from beatings, because their lives are important to HIM.  Let HIS name stay forever, stay same long as the sun shines.

COLLECT: O God, in the past YOU led a star.  And with that star YOU show YOUR only Son to the people of other nations.  Now we know YOU through faith; but after this life, lead us to the full joy of YOUR glory in heaven.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, YOUR Son, our Lord.  Jesus lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, eternally one God.  Amen.

ISAIAH 60:1-6
     1.  Stand, shine same-as the sun, because the glory of the Lord is shining on you.
     2.  Darkness covers the earth and black darkness covers the people, but the light of the Lord shines on you, and HIS glory will be with you.
     3.  Nations will come to see your light and kings will come near to see.
     4.  Look-around you and see the things happening.  The people meeting together will come home.  Your sons will come from far-away.  Your daughters will be carried same-as children.
     5.  You will see this and be filled with joy.  You will be nervous with excitement.  The riches of the nations will be brought to you; yes, from across the sea riches will come.
     6.  Many CAMELS will come from the countries MIDIAN and EPHAH.  People will come from the country SHEBA bringing gold and perfume.  The people will tell the Good Story about the things that the Lord does.

EPHESIANS 3:2-12
     2.  You know that God in HIS mercy gave-me this work,  And God blesses you through my work.
     3.  God showed me HIS secret plan.  I already wrote about this in another letter.
     4.  If you read that other letter, then you will understand the secret about Christ.
     5.  Long-ago people didn't-know this secret.  But now God told HIS secret to HIS holy preachers and prophets.  God spoke through the Holy Spirit.
     6.  And this is HIS secret: people from other nations, not Jewish people, now can have God's blessings through HIS Good Story.  They are members of the same family.  They share in the promise God made through Jesus Christ.
     7.  God made me a preacher of this Good Story.  God gave me this work through the power of HIS mercy.
     8.  I am less worthy than any of God's people! But God gave me honor because HE let me preach to people in other nations about the wonderful blessings of Christ.
     9.  And God let me help all people understand God's secret plan. God made all things, and HE kept HIS plan secret through all past years.
    10.  Why? For the church to teach the angel managers and spirit powers about God's wisdom now.
    11.  This agrees with God's eternal plan.  And God did and finished the things HE planned through Jesus Christ our Lord.
    12.  In joining with Jesus and through our faith in HIM, we have the courage to meet God face-to-face.

GRADUAL: Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise HIM all you people.  Because HIS love is great to us, and HIS faithfulness remains forever.  Give glory to the name of the Lord, bring a gift and enter HIS house.

MATTHEW 2:1-12
     1.  After Jesus was born in the city BETHLEHEM in the country JUDEA during the time of king HEROD, wise men from the East arrived in the city JERUSALEM and said,
     2.  "Where is the new baby King of the Jews?  We saw HIS star in the East, and we came to worship HIM."
     3.  King HEROD heard this and those words bothered him and all the people in the city JERUSALEM.
     4.  Then HEROD had a meeting with the Jewish priests and Law teachers and asked them about the place of Christ's birth.
     5.  They answered, "In the city BETHLEHEM in the country JUDEA, because the prophets wrote the words:
     6.  'And you BETHLEHEM, in the nation JUDAH.  You are not the smallest city in the country JUDAH.  Because from you a King will come and HE will lead MY people, ISRAEL.'"
     7.  Then HEROD called the wise men in a secret meeting and asked them about the time the star first appeared.
     8.  And HEROD sent the wise men to the city BETHLEHEM and said, "Go and search-for the baby.  After you find the baby, come and tell-me, then I can go and worship HIM also."
     9.  After the wise men listened to the king, they left.  And the star they saw before in the Eastern sky now appeared again; and that star moved and stopped over the baby's home.
    10.  And happened  the wise men saw the star, they rejoiced with much happiness.
    11.  And they came into the house and saw the Baby with MARY, HIS mother.  And they knelt-down and worshipped Jesus.  They opened their gifts, and gave Jesus: gold, perfume, and sweet incense-smoke.
    12.  And God warned them in a _dream, "Don't go to HEROD again."  Now the wise men left for their home nation another way.
 
 

[A]
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
INTROIT: Praise to the Lord God of ISRAEL.  God does wonderful things.  Praise HIS glorious name forever.  YOU (Jesus) are the most perfect man and YOUR mouth speaks words of love, because God blesses YOU forever.  YOUR throne, O God, will stay forever; YOU will judge YOUR kingdom honestly.  YOU love righteousness and hate evil; now God put YOU higher than all angels.

COLLECT: Father in heaven, happened our Savior, Jesus Christ, baptized, YOU named Jesus, YOUR dear Son.  In our baptism we became joined with Christ, and we receive eternal life through Christ.  Help us all to do as YOUR children, as we promised in our baptism.   We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, YOUR Son, our Lord.  Jesus lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, eternally one God.  Amen.

ISAIAH 42:1-7
     1.  Here is MY Servant.  I support HIM.  I chose HIM.  I filled HIM with MY Spirit.  HE will judge the nations correctly.
     2.  HE will not shout and will not speak loudly.  HE will not preach in the street.
     3.  HE will not break a branch from a tree.  HE will not put-out a candle.  HE will honestly judge all people.
     4.  HE will not fail or be-disappointed.  HE will establish honest judgment on the earth.  Far-away nations eagerly wait for HIS teaching.
     5.  God made the skies and all the stars.  God made the earth and all living things on earth.  God gave life and breath to all the people.  And now the Lord God says to HIS Servant:
     6.  "I, the Lord, called YOU and gave YOU power to judge the earth.  I will make a promise to all people through YOU.  I will shine MY Light on the nations through YOU.
     7.  YOU will open the eyes of the blind people, and YOU will free the people living in the dark prisons."

ACTS 10:34-38
    34.  PETER began speaking: "Now I understand.  God truly does the same for all people.
    35.  Because any person honoring God and doing correct, then God accepts that person.  The color of skin indifference.
    36.  You know God announced to the Jewish people that Jesus Christ gives us peace.  Jesus is Lord reigning all people.
    37.  You know JOHN preached about baptism in the country of the Jews.  Then Jesus did wonderful works beginning in the country named GALILEE.
    38.  And you know God the Father gave the Holy Spirit and power to Jesus.  You know Jesus travelled-around helping people and healing people from the devil's reign.  Jesus can do these things because God the Father was with HIM."

GRADUAL: Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise HIM, all you people.  Because HIS love is great to us, and HE stays faithful forever.  Give glory to the Lord, and enter HIS house bringing a gift.

MATTHEW 3:13-17
    13.  Jesus travelled from GALILEE to the river named JORDAN, because Jesus wanted to get-baptized by JOHN.
    14.  But JOHN tried to stop HIM.  JOHN said, "I should get-baptized by YOU!  But YOU come to me?"
    15.  Jesus answered, "Let us do it MY way for now, because that is required."  JOHN said, "Alright!"
    16.  Jesus got-baptized.  And then Jesus came out-of the water, and the skies opened, and Jesus saw the Spirit of God in a dove coming-down on HIM.
    17.  A voice from heaven said, "This is MY Son, I love HIM, and HE makes ME happy."
 
 

[A]
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
INTROIT: I don't hide YOUR righteousness in my heart; I speak about YOUR faithfulness and saving work.  O my God, I want to obey YOUR Word.  I wait patiently for the Lord, and HE heard my crying.  HE helped me out-of my troubles, and HE gave-me strength.  HE taught me a new song to praise my God.

COLLECT: Almighty and eternal God, YOU reign all things in heaven and earth. With mercy hear YOUR people pray and give us YOUR peace all the days of our life.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, YOUR Son, our Lord.  Jesus lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, eternally one God.  Amen.

ISAIAH 49:1-6
     1.  Attend to me, you people living near the sea; attend you people living far-away.  Happened I was in my pregnant mother, the Lord called me.  Before my mother gave-birth, God announced my name.
     2.  God made my mouth same-as a sharp sword, and God hid me in the shadow of HIS hand.  God made me same-as a thin arrow, and God hid me in HIS arrow bag.
     3.  God said to me: "You are MY servant to ISRAEL.  Through you I will show MY glory."
     4.  But I said, "I worked for nothing.  I used-up my strength for nothing.  But truly the Lord is ready to do the correct thing for me, and God is ready to praise me."
     5.  And now says the Lord, "I made you in your pregnant mother to become MY servant and to bring JACOB again to ME and to gather ISRAEL in-front-of ME."  The Lord gave honor to me, and my God gives me strength.
     6.  God says, "It is not enough that you are MY servant to bring the families of JACOB and gather the saved children of ISRAEL.  I have also made you same-as a light to shine on the nations, that MY salvation will go to the far parts of the world.

I CORINTHIANS 1:1-9
     1.  This letter is from PAUL and from our friend SOSTHENES.  God called me to become a preacher for Christ Jesus.
     2.  We send this letter to the church of God in the city named CORINTH.  God made you holy through Christ Jesus.  God called you to become HIS holy people, together-with all people in every place worshipping our Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus is our Lord, and Jesus is their Lord.
     3.  Love to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ.
     4.  Daily I thank God for you, because God gave HIS love to you in Jesus Christ.
     5.  And HE made you wise in everything you speak and know about Jesus.
     6.  And HE established the Good Announcement about Jesus in you.
     7.  Then you will have every gift, while you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to come again.
     8.  God will make you strong to the end, and HE will take-care-of you.  Then you will be without blame on the day our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
     9.  God is faithful.  HE invited you to join with HIS Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

GRADUAL: Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise HIM, all you people.  Because HIS love is great to us, and HE stays faithful forever.  Give glory to the Lord, and enter HIS house bringing a gift.

JOHN 1:29-41
    29.  The day after JOHN baptized Jesus, JOHN saw Jesus coming.  JOHN said, "Look! There is the Lamb from God.  HE takes-away the sin of the world!
    30.  HE is the same Man I told you before, 'One Man will follow me, but HE is better than I, because HE lived before I was-born.'
    31.  In the past I myself didn't-know HIM.  But I came baptizing people.  Why?  For showing Jesus to the Jewish people.
    32.  I saw the Holy Spirit come from heaven in a dove and stay on Jesus.
    33.  I didn't know Jesus, but God sent me for baptizing people, and God said to me, 'You will see the Holy Spirit come-down and stay on a Man.  And that Man will baptize people with the Holy Spirit.'
    34.  I finished saw that happen.  And I tell you, Jesus is the Son of God."
    35.  The next day JOHN was with two friends.
    36.  Jesus walked by, and JOHN said, "Look!  There is the Lamb from God."
    37.  The two friends heard that and they followed Jesus.
    38.  Jesus stopped, looked-back, and said, "Are you searching for something?"  They said, "Teacher, where do you live?"
    39.  Jesus answered, "Come, I will show you."  Then Jesus and the two men went to the place Jesus lived.  The two men stayed with Jesus that day, because the time was about four p.m..
    40.  One man heard JOHN speak and followed Jesus, his name was ANDREW, the brother of PETER.
    41.  ANDREW found his brother and said, "We found the Christ!"
 
 

[A]
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
INTROIT: From the east to the west the name of the Lord is praised.  Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord.  Praise the Lord now and forevermore.  The Lord is praised in all the nations,  HIS glory praised in heaven.  HE helps the poor people out-of their broken houses, and puts them in seats next-to the princes.  To the woman she can't have any babies, HE gives her children to make her happy.

COLLECT: O Lord God Almighty, YOU always in the past gave several gifts from the Holy Spirit to YOUR servants, give us YOUR gifts today and give us the knowledge to use the gifts to YOUR honor and glory and the good of other people.   We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, YOUR Son, our Lord.  Jesus lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, eternally one God.  Amen.

ISAIAH 9:1-4
     1.  The people grieving will not continue sad.  First, God made people living in the country named ZEBULON and NAPHTALI humble, but then God will give glory to that land spreading to the sea and to the country across the river named JORDAN near the Sea named GALILEE.
     2.  The people walking in darkness will see a great light.  To those sad people living in the land, a light will shine.
     3.  The smallest nation will become a great nation.  The people will be-happy same-as people celebrate at harvest time, or same-as soldiers are-happy in war victory.
     4.  God will break the YOKE burdening HIS people.  God will break the ROD beating on HIS people.  God will break the STAFF used to chase HIS people; the same-as God did during the time of the MIDIANITES.

I CORINTHIANS 1:10-17
    10.  My friends, our Lord Jesus Christ wants you all to agree.  Don't become separated.  But have the same thoughts and make all decisions together.
    11.  Why?  Because people from CLOE'S group tell me about your arguments.
    12.  You say various things.  Some of you say, "I follow PAUL."  And some of you say, "I follow APPOLOS."  And some of you say, "I follow PETER."  And some of you say, "I follow Christ."
    13.  What happened?  Is Christ divided?  Did you get-baptized in PAUL'S name?
    14.  I thank God I baptized none of you, except two men named CRISPUS and GAIUS.
    15.  Then none of you can say you got-baptized in my name.
    16.  Oh, yes, I did baptize STEPHANUS and his family.  I can't remember if I baptized any more people.
    17.  Christ didn't send me to baptize people.  No!  HE sent me to preach HIS Good Announcement.  I don't use fancy words and clever speech, because fancy words and clever speech takes-away the power from Christ's death on the cross.

GRADUAL: Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise HIM, all you people.  Because HIS love is great to us, and HE stays faithful forever.  Give glory to the Lord, and enter HIS house bringing a gift.

MATTHEW 4:12-23
    12.  JOHN the Baptizer was-put in prison, and Jesus heard about that.  Then Jesus travelled to the country named GALILEE.
    13.  Jesus didn't live in the city named NAZARETH now.  HE went to live in the city named CAPERNAUM, a small town near the lake in the area named ZEBULON and NAPHTALI.
    14.  That made the words of the prophet ISAIAH truly happen.  ISAIAH said:
    15.  "The country around ZEBULON and NAPHTALI near the sea named GALILEE, people not Jewish live there,
    16.  Those people sitting in darkness will see a great light.  The light will shine on people sitting in dark death."
    17.  Then Jesus began preaching: "Change your hearts from your sins, because the kingdom of heaven is almost here."
    18.  Jesus walked near lake GALILEE.  HE saw two brothers, SIMON PETER and his brother ANDREW, both catching fish with a net.
    19.  Jesus said to the two men, "Come and follow ME, and I will teach you to go-fishing, not for fish, but to catch people."
    20.  Quickly the two men dropped their nets and followed Jesus.
    21.  Then Jesus continued walking and saw two more brothers named JAMES and JOHN, the sons of ZEBEDEE.  They were all fixing their nets.  Jesus called them.
    22.  Quickly they decided to leave their boat and their father and follow Jesus.
    23.  Jesus travelled through all the country named GALILEE, teaching in the Jewish churches and preaching the Good Announcement about the kingdom of God.  Jesus healed people from every sickness.
 
 

[A]
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
INTROIT: The Lord watches the way of the righteous, but the way of evil people will be destruction.  Happy is the person that doesn't listen to the advice of the evil people and doesn't together-with sinners and doesn't join with the mocking people.  But happy is the person that enjoys obeying the laws of the Lord and thinks about the laws day and night.  That person is the same-as a tree near the river growing good food and the leafs never wither.  Everything the righteous person does succeeds.  The evil person always fails.  The evil person is the same-as weeds blown-away.  Now the evil people will not stand in-front-of the judge; and sinners will not stand among the righteous people.

COLLECT: Almighty God, YOU know that we live with many dangers around us every-day and because of our sin we often weak, give us YOUR strength and protection to help us during all dangers and temptations.   We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, YOUR Son, our Lord.  Jesus lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, eternally one God.  Amen.

MICAH 6:1-8
     1.  Attend to the Lord's words. Stand-up and speak your complaint to the mountains.
     2.  Hear the Lord's complaint against HIS people and HIS argument with ISRAEL, you mountains and earth.
     3.  "O MY people, what did I do against you?  How did I make you tired?  Answer me!
     4.  I lead you out of the country named EGYPT and freed you from slavery;  I sent MOSES, AARON and MIRIAM to lead you.
     5.  MY people, please remember the things king BALAK planned against you, and the answer BALAAM, son of BEOR, gave to the king, and the things that happened from the city named SHITTIM to the city named GILGAL that you will know the righteous things the Lord did."
     6.  What must I bring to the Lord?  Must I bow-down?  Must I bring a one year old cow for a burnt offering?
     7.  Will the Lord be-happy with ten thousand goats and a thousand rivers of OLIVE OIL?  Must I give to the Lord my first born son to pay for my sin?
     8.  The Lord finished informed you about your good gift.  The Lords wants you always to do correct, show mercy, and to walk with humility.

I CORINTHIANS 1:26-31
    26.  My friends, now think about how God called you!  Before, you were-not wise; before, you were-not powerful; before, you were-not rich.  Those are the things people think are important.
    27.  But God chose things people think are foolish.  Why?  To make wise people feel ashamed.  God chose things people think are weak.  Why?  To make strong people feel ashamed.
    28.  God chose things people look-down-their noses-at and don't like and think are worthless.  Why?  To destroy the things people think are really important.
    29.  Then no person can boast in-front-of God.
    30.  But God gives you life in Christ Jesus.  From Jesus we get wisdom and righteousness and a holy life and salvation.
    31.  Then, same-as the Holy Writings says, "If you want to boast, then boast the Lord."

GRADUAL: Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise HIM, all you people.  Because HIS love is great to us, and HE stays faithful forever.  Give glory to the Lord, and enter HIS house bringing a gift.

MATTHEW 5:1-12
     1.  Jesus saw a large crowd of people coming.  Then HE went-up a hill.
     2.  Jesus sat and began teaching HIS twelve friends.  Jesus said:
     3.  "Blessed are people with a spirit of poverty, because they have the kingdom of heaven.
     4.  Blessed are people crying, because God will comfort them.
     5.  Blessed are humble people, because they will get all the things God promises.
     6.  Blessed are people wanting to obey God, because God will give the things they want.
     7.  Blessed are people filled with mercy, because God will show mercy to them.
     8.  Blessed are people with pure hearts, because they will see God.
     9.  Blessed are people making peace, because God will name them HIS children.
    10.  Blessed are people getting-punished for doing good, because they have the kingdom of heaven.
    11.  Blessed are you happens people mock you, punish you, curse you, and tell lies about you, because you love ME.
    12.  Remain happy, because you will have a great blessing in heaven.  People also punished the prophets long ago."
 
 

[A]
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
INTROIT: The light shines for the holy, loving, and righteous person during the darkness.  Praise the Lord.  Happy is the person that honors the Lord and obeys HIS commands.  Much wealth that person has and righteousness stays forever.  That person will not fear sad stories, but will stay strong and trust the Lord.  That person feels safe and will not fear; finally that person will defeat all the enemies.  That person gives gifts to poor people and righteousness stays forever.

COLLECT: O God, our loving Father, through YOUR Holy Spirit YOU put YOUR love in the hearts of YOUR faithful people.  Give YOUR servants a strong mind and body, that we can love YOU with all our strength and with all our heart and do things pleasing in YOUR sight.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, YOUR Son, our Lord.  Jesus lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, eternally one God.  Amen.

ISAIAH 58:5-9
     5.  Do you think I am happy happens a man gives-up eating for one day?  Do you think I am happy happen you bow-your-head and clothe yourself in funeral clothes?  Do you think that pleases the Lord?
     6.  You untie the sins binding you, and take-off the YOKE burdening you, then I am happy.  Let the slaves go free and remove every YOKE.
     7.  You share your food with hungry people, invite poor people and people without homes into your house, give clothes to people without clothes, and not stick-up-your-nose to your family, then I am happy.
     8.  Then you will shine same-as the sunrise, and you will-be quickly healed.  Your righteous life will-be seen and the glory of the Lord will protect you.
     9.  Then you will pray, and the Lord will answer.  You will ask-for help, and the Lord will say, "Here I am."

I CORINTHIANS 2:1-5
     1.  Happen I went to you, my Christian friends, I didn't go to tell you God's truth with fine speech or wisdom.
     2.  While I was with you, I spoke about Jesus Christ nailed to the cross.
     3.  I went to you weak and afraid and nervous.
     4.  Happen I spoke and preached, I didn't use clever words to influence you, but I let the Holy Spirit and HIS power prove the truth to you.
     5.  So-that your faith will not depend on man's wisdom but on God's power.

GRADUAL: Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise HIM, all you people.  Because HIS love is great to us, and HE stays faithful forever.  Give glory to the Lord, and enter HIS house bringing a gift.

MATTHEW 5:13-20
    13.  You are the-same-as salt in the world.  If salt loses its sweetness, salt can't become sweet again.  The salt is no good, except to throw on the ground for people to walk on.
    14.  You are the-same-as lights in the world.  A town built on a hill can't hide.
    15.  You don't put a candle under a basket, but you put a candle on a stand so-that the light shines for everyone on the house.
    16.  You let your life shine in-front-of people that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.
    17.  Don't think that I come to postpone the Law and Prophets writings.  I come to obey the Holy Writings.
    18.  I tell you honestly, heaven and earth will not dissolve, and every little part of the Law will remain until everything happens.
    19.  Anyone ignoring any Commandments and teaching other people to do that will be-named the smallest in the kingdom of heaven.  But anyone obeying and teaching the Commandments will be-named the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
    20.  I say to you, if your righteous ways are not better than the Jewish writers and Law teachers, then you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
 
 

[A]
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
INTROIT: The evil people have many troubles, but the people trusting in the Lord have HIS eternal love around them.  Happy is the person forgiven of his sins.  Happy is the person that always speaks the truth, because the Lord doesn't count his sins.  I confess my sins to YOU, and I don't hide my law breakings.  I will confess my mistakes to the Lord,  and HE forgives all of my sins.  Now let all the holy people pray to YOU and find YOU, Lord;  because happens that the great oceans cover-over us, then we can never find YOU.  God, YOU help protect us from all trouble and save us from destruction.

COLLECT: Lord God, YOU hear the prayers of YOUR people.  Help us to see and to understand the things we should be doing and give to us YOUR love and power to do those things.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, YOUR Son, our Lord. Jesus lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, eternally one God.  Amen.

DEUTERONOMY 30:15-20
    15.  Today I show you life and happiness, death and sorrow.
    16.  Because I command you today to love the Lord your God, follow HIS ways, and obey everything God says in HIS Commandments, laws and rules.  Then you will live and have many children, and the Lord your God will bless you in the country you will enter.
    17.  But if your heart becomes hard and you won't listen and you are lead to worship false idols and serve them;
    18.  I tell you today that you will die and not live a long time in the country across the river named JORDAN.
    19.  I ask heaven and earth to be WITNESS against you today that I put life and death in-front-of you -- the blessing and the punishment.  Choose life so-that you and your children will live;
    20.  By loving the Lord your God, obeying God, and staying faithful to God.

I CORINTHIANS 2:6-13
     6.  We speak wisdom to people ready to hear it, wisdom not  known to our world today and to the dying reigners of the world.
     7.  Yes, we tell about God's secret wisdom that was hidden and that God planned before the world began for our glory.
     8.  None of the reigners of the world knew about it.  If the reigners knew, then they would not have-crucified the Lord of glory.
     9.  But the Holy Writing says, "No eye has-seen, no ear has-heard, and no mind has-thought about the things God prepared for those people loving HIM."
    10.  God showed that to us by HIS Holy Spirit.  The Spirit knows everything, also the deep things of God.
    11.  Only a man's inner soul knows the things a man thinks.  The same way only God's Spirit know the things God thinks.
    12.  Now we didn't receive the spirit of the world, but we received the Spirit of God so-that we will know the good things God gave us.
    13.  And we tell about that in words not taught by man's wisdom but taught by the Holy Spirit, as we explain the things of the Spirit to those people having the Spirit.

GRADUAL: Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise HIM, all you people.  Because HIS love is great to us, and HE stays faithful forever.  Give glory to the Lord, and enter HIS house bringing a gift.

MATTHEW 5:20-37
    20.  I say to you if your righteous ways are not better than the Jewish Writers and Law teachers, then you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
    21.  You heard people say a long time ago, "You must not kill."  And anyone killing comes under judgment.
    22.  But I say to you everyone angry with his brother without good reason will come under judgment.  If a man says to his brother, "You fool," then he will come under the fire of hell.
    23.  Now if you bring your gift to the altar, and remember your brother has something against you;
    24.  Then drop your gift in-front-of the altar and first go and make peace with your brother.  Then come and bring your gift.
    25.  If your enemy brings you to court, then become friends with him quickly and do that before going to court.  If you don't become his friend, then maybe he will give you to the judge, and the judge maybe will tell the soldier to put you in jail.
    26.  And I tell you that you will not go out of jail until you pay everything you owe.
    27.  You heard the words, "You must not break the marriage law."
    28.  But I tell you that anyone looking at a woman hungrily finished broke the marriage law in his heart.
    29.  If your right eye makes you sin, take-out the eye and throw-away the eye.  Truly it-is-better for you to lose part of your body, than to have all your body thrown in hell.
    30.  And if your right hand makes you sin, cut-off your hand and throw-away that hand.  Truly it-is-better for you to lose part of your body, than to have all your body thrown into hell.
    31.  MOSES said, "Anyone divorcing his wife must give her a divorce paper."
    32.  But I tell you anyone divorcing his wife except she was not faithful with SEX, makes the wife break the marriage law.  And a man marrying a divorced woman lives in broken marriage law.
    33.  Again you heard that long ago people learned, "Don't make false promises and give to the Lord everything you promised to give HIM."
    34.  But I tell you, don't make false promises, not make a promise by heaven - that is God's home.
    35.  Or promise by earth - that is God's place to rest HIS feet; or promise by the Holy City - that is the city of the great king.
    36.  And don't make a false promise by your head, because you can't change the color of your hair to white or black.
    37.  Only say - Yes! Yes!  Or No! No! Anything more than that is sinful.
 
 

[A]
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
INTROIT: The Lord is full of mercy and kindness, slow to become angry, and overflowing with love.  Praise the Lord, Oh my soul;  all inside me, praise HIS holy name.  Praise the Lord, Oh my soul, and don't forget all HIS blessings.  HE forgives all my sins and heals all my sicknesses;  He saves my life from destruction and fills me with love and mercy.  HE satisfies all my needs with good things and I become excited same-as a young child.  HE doesn't punish us same-as we deserve.  Same-as the sky is high above the earth,  the same great is HIS love for those people that honor HIM;  the same far-away the east from the west, the same far-away HE throws our sins.

COLLECT: Lord God, we ask YOU to keep YOUR family, the Church, always faithful to YOU.  Let us depend on the hope of YOUR promises and get strength from the power of YOUR love.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, YOUR Son, our Lord.  Jesus lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, eternally one God.  Amen

LEVITICUS 19:1-2, 17-18
     1.  And the Lord said to MOSES,
     2.  Speak to all the people of ISRAEL, "You must be holy because I, the Lord, your God am holy."
    17.  Don't hate another person in your heart.  Discuss the problem with that person, then you will not be-blamed with a sin.
    18.  Don't get-revenge against anyone and don't complain against another person, but love your neighbor same-as you love yourself, because I am the Lord.

I CORINTHIANS 3:10-11, 16-23
    10.  In HIS love God gave-me a work to do and same-as a skilled builder I began the foundation, and someone other started the building.  Everyone should build carefully.
    11.  No one can begin another foundation.  The only foundation we have is Jesus Christ.
    16.  You know you are God's temple and the Spirit of God is inside you?
    17.  If anyone destroys God's temple, then God will destroy that person, because God's temple is a holy place.  You are God's temple.
    18.  Don't fool yourself.  If anyone thinks himself wise in the ways of the world, first become a fool, then you will become wise.
    19.  God thinks wise people in the world are foolish, as the Holy Writing says, "God catches the wise people with their own wise ways."
    20.  And again, "The Lord knows that the plans of wise people are worthless."
    21.  So don't feel proud about people.  You see - everything is yours.
    22.  PAUL, APPOLOS, PETER, the world, life or death, now or future things - everything is yours.
    23.  But you belong-to Christ, and Christ belongs-to God.

GRADUAL: Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise HIM, all you people.  Because HIS love is great to us, and HE stays faithful forever.  Give glory to the Lord, and enter HIS house bringing a gift.

MATTHEW 5:38-48
    38.  You heard people say, "Take-away one eye for the others eye, and take-away one tooth for the other man's tooth."
    39.  But I tell you, don't fight against an evil person.  If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn-your-head for slapping on the left cheek.
    40.  If someone wants to go to court to take-away your shirt, give that person your coat, too.
    41.  If someone forces you to walk one mile, go two miles with him.
    42.  If someone asks you for something, give it, and if someone wants to borrow from you, don't refuse him.
    43.  You heard people say, "Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy."
    44.  But I tell you, love your enemies and bless those people cursing you, do good to those people hating you, and pray for those people hurting you.
    45.  In this way you will show you are the children of your Father in heaven.  HE makes the sunrise for all people, both bad and good people, and HE lets rain come indifferent people do correct or wrong things.
    46.  If you love people because they first loved you, then what profit do you have?  Tax collectors do that, too.
    47.  If you show kindness only to your friends, that is nothing special.  People in the world do that.
    48.  You be perfect the same-as your Father in heaven is perfect.
 
 

[A]
EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
INTROIT: Oh my soul, find rest with God; my salvation and my honor depend on God.  My soul finds rest only with God;  my salvation comes from HIM.  HE is my strength and my savior;  HE protects me and I will not fear.  O people, trust in HIM always; tell God your problems, because HE is YOUR protector.  One thing God spoke;  two things I heard:  that YOU, O God, are strong, and that YOU, O Lord, are loving.  Truly YOU will bless each person according to the things that person does.

COLLECT: O Lord, in mercy hear our prayers and free us from our sins and defend us against all evil.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, YOUR Son, our Lord.  Jesus lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, eternally one God.  Amen.

ISAIAH 49:13-18
    13.  Sing, O skies.  Be-happy, O earth.  Hills begin your song, because the Lord comforts HIS people and shows mercy to HIS suffering people.
    14.  But God's Church says, "The Lord dropped me alone!  The Lord forgot me!"
    15.  Can a mother forget the baby drinking milk and have no love for the son she birthed?  If it happens that a mother forgets, still I will not forget you.
    16.  See, I wrote your name on MY hands.  I am always watching over you.
    17.  Your children hurry and come.  Those people wanting to destroy you now depart.
    18.  Look-around and see.  People are gathering and coming to you.  The Lord says, "I live and now these people will come and join the Church same-as decorations hanging on a tree or same-as a new bride joins her husband."

I CORINTHIANS 4:1-13
     1.  Now let people see us and know we are servants of Christ, and let them know we reign God's secret things.
     2.  And one thing is very important, a good reigner must remain faithful.
     3.  And indifferent you or any world court judge me, that doesn't bother me.  I don't judge myself.
     4.  Maybe I don't-know anything bad against myself; but ignorance doesn't make me righteous.
     5.  Only the Lord HIMSELF judges me.  Now, don't judge before HIS time.  Don't judge until the Lord comes.  HE will shine light on all dark secrets, and HE will show the secret wants in people's hearts.  And then each one will get his praise from God.
     6.  Christian friends, APPOLOS and I are examples for you, so-that you can learn to follow the Holy Writings.  Then you will not become proud about one man and hate another man.
     7.  Are you better than other people?  Everything you have is a gift to you.  Then don't boast about your things, because they all were-given to you.
     8.  You think you have everything you need.  You think you are rich.  You think you have become kings without us.  I wish you were truly a king, then we can become kings with you.
     9.  I think God made me and the other Jesus teachers last.  We are same-as people condemned to die with all the people watching.  We are same-as a show for all the world, and angels, and people to see.
    10.  We are foolish people for Christ, but you think yourself wise in Christ.  We are weak people, but you think yourselves very strong.  People give honor to you, but they hate us.
    11.  Until now we are hungry, thirsty, not enough clothes, people beat-up us, and we have no home.
    12.  We work hard with our hands to feed ourselves.  People curse us, but we say a blessing to them.  People persecute us, and we accept it.
    13.  People say bad things about us, but we say good things about them.  Until now people act against us same-as GARBAGE on earth and dirty people in the world.

GRADUAL: Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise HIM, all you people.  Because HIS love is great to us, and HE stays faithful forever.  Give glory to the Lord, and enter HIS house bringing a gift.

MATTHEW 6:24-34
    24.  No one can serve two bosses; because you will hate the one boss and love the other boss, or you will attend to the one boss and ignore the other boss.  You can't serve God and earthly things.
    25.  Now, I tell you; don't worry about your life or about your food or about your drink or about your body and your clothes.  Your life is more important than food and your body more important than clothing, Correct?
    26.  See the birds in the sky.  Birds don't sow or harvest, and birds don't save food in BARNS.  But your heavenly Father feeds birds.  Those birds are not more important than you, Correct?
    27.  Now? Who among you can grow one foot more taller by worrying?
    28.  And why do you worry about clothing?  Think about the flowers in the field.  See they grow good.  Flowers don't work.
    29.  But I tell you that king SOLOMON in all his beautiful clothes didn't clothe himself the same beautiful same-as a flower.
    30.  Now, if God makes the beautiful grass in the field; and that grass grows today, and tomorrow people throw that grass into the fire; God will much more give to you people a small faith, Correct?
    31.  Now, don't worry and say, "What will we eat, and what will we drink, and what clothing will we have?
    32.  Because other nations seek-for all those things.  Your heavenly Father knows you need all these things.
    33.  But first, seek HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness; and HE will give all these other things to you.
    34.  Now, don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow we will worry about tomorrow.  And one day's troubles are enough.
 
 

[A]
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD
INTROIT: Praise the Lord our God and worship in HIS holy Church, because the Lord our God is holy.  The Lord reigns, let the nations fear;  the Lord sits on HIS throne with angels around HIM, let the earth shake.  Great is the Lord in heaven;  HE reigns over all the nations.  Let the nations praise YOUR great and wonderful name -- HE is holy.  The King is mighty, HE loves honesty -- YOU always show fairness; in ISRAEL YOU finished doing the correct and fairness thing.  Praise the Lord our God and worship HIM; HE is holy.

COLLECT: O God, in that glorious transfiguration of YOUR only Son YOU proved the secret of the faith of our fathers, and with YOUR voice from that cloud YOU showed YOUR acceptance of us through Jesus.  In mercy give us that same glory that YOU showed in Jesus, and bring us to that glory in heaven.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, YOUR Son, our Lord.  Jesus lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, eternally one God.  Amen.

EXODUS 24:12, 15-18
    12.  And the Lord said to MOSES, "Come-up to ME on the mountain and wait and I will give you two stones that I wrote the Law and Commandments that you can teach the people."
    15.  MOSES went-up the mountain covered by the cloud.
    16.  The glory of the Lord stayed on MT. SINAI.  For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day God called to MOSES from the cloud.
    17.  The glory of the Lord seemed same-as a hot fire on the mountain to the Jewish people looking-up.
    18.  MOSES went-up into the cloud on the mountain.  And MOSES stayed on the mountain forty days.

II PETER 1:16-21
    16.  We informed you about the coming and power of the Lord Jesus Christ, but we didn't tell clever stories people invented; because we saw with our own eyes HIS glorious strength.
    17.  Because after Jesus received honor and glory from God the Father, then a voice spoke to HIM from the wonderful glory.  The voice said, "This is MY dear Son.  In HIM I find much pleasure."
    18.  We were with HIM on that holy mountain, and we heard this voice coming from heaven.
    19.  And we have a more clear prophetic word.  Attend to this word and you do good.  Because that word is same-as a light shining in a dark place until the day begins and the sun shines in your hearts.
    20.  First, understand that no prophecy in the Holy Writings permits private explanation.
    21.  Because in past time no prophecy came because a man wanted that prophecy.  But the Holy Spirit inspired men, and they spoke God's Words.

GRADUAL: Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise HIM, all you people.  Because HIS love is great to us, and HE stays faithful forever.  Give glory to the Lord, and enter HIS house bringing a gift.

MATTHEW 17:1-9
     1.  And after six days Jesus led PETER and two brothers, JAMES and JOHN, to a high mountain alone.
     2.  Then Jesus' body changed in-front-of them, and HIS face shone same-as the sun.  HIS clothing became white same-as a light.
     3.  And, look, MOSES and ELIJAH appeared and talked with Jesus.
     4.  PETER said to Jesus, "Lord, truly good we are here.  If YOU want, I will make three tents here; one tent for YOU, and one tent for MOSES, and one tent for ELIJAH."
     5.  Then a bright cloud came over them, and a voice said, "This is MY dear Son.  I find pleasure in HIM.  Listen to HIM."
     6.  And after the three friends of Jesus heard that, they fell-on-their-faces and were very much afraid.
     7.  And Jesus came and touched them and said, "Stand and don't be-afraid."
     8.  They looked-up and saw no one except Jesus.
     9.  And they all came-down from the mountain.   And Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one about the thing you saw until the Son of Man rises from the dead."
 

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