LORD, remember David, * and all his trouble:
How he sware unto the LORD, * and vowed a vow unto the Almighty God of Jacob:
I will not come within the tabernacle of mine house, * nor climb up into my bed;
I will not suffer mine eyes to sleep, nor mine eyelids to slumber; * neither the temples of my head to take any rest;
Until I find out a place for the temple of the LORD; * an habitation for the Mighty God of Jacob.
Lo, we heard of the same at Ephratah, * and found it in the wood.
We will go into his tabernacle, * and fall low on our knees before his footstool.
Arise, O LORD, into thy resting-place; * thou, and the ark of thy strength.
Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; * and let thy saints sing with joyfulness.
For thy servant David's sake, * turn not away the face of thine anointed.
The LORD hath made a faithful oath unto David, * and he shall not shrink from it:
Of the fruit of thy body * shall I set upon thy throne.
If thy children will keep my covenant, and my testimonies that I shall teach them; * their children also shall sit upon thy throne for evermore.
For the LORD hath chosen Sion to be an habitation for himself; * he hath longed for her.
This shall be my rest for ever: * here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein.
I will bless her victuals with increase, * and will satisfy her poor with bread.
I will deck her priests with health, * and her saints shall rejoice and sing.
There shall I make the horn of David to flourish: * I have ordained a lantern for mine anointed.
As for his enemies, I shall clothe them with shame; * but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

For what man is he that can know the counsel of God? or who can think what the will of the Lord is? For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain. For the corruptible body presseth down the soul, and the earthy tabernacle weigheth down the mind that museth upon many things. And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth, and with labour do we find the things that are before us: but the things that are in heaven who hath searched out? And thy counsel who hath known, except thou give wisdom, and send thy Holy Spirit from above? For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto thee, and were saved through wisdom.

I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

STIR up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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