Wednesday of the 3rd week of Advent

6that they may know from the rising of the sun,

and from the west,

that there is no one besides me.

I am the LORD, and there is no one else.

7I form the light

and create darkness.

I make peace

and create calamity.

I am the LORD,

who does all these things.

8Rain, you heavens, from above,

and let the skies pour down righteousness.

Let the earth open, that it may produce salvation,

and let it cause righteousness to spring up with it.

I, the LORD, have created it.

…

18For the LORD who created the heavens,

the God who formed the earth and made it,

who established it and didn’t create it a waste,

who formed it to be inhabited says:

“I am the LORD.

There is no other.

…

21Declare and present it.

Yes, let them take counsel together.

Who has shown this from ancient time?

Who has declared it of old?

Haven’t I, the LORD?

There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Savior.

There is no one besides me.

22“Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth;

for I am God, and there is no other.

23I have sworn by myself.

The word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and will not be revoked,

that to me every knee shall bow,

every tongue shall take an oath.

24They will say of me,

‘There is righteousness and strength only in the LORD.’”

Even to him will men come.

All those who raged against him will be disappointed.

25All the offspring of Israel will be justified in the LORD,

and will rejoice!

8I will hear what God, the LORD, will speak,

for he will speak peace to his people, his saints;

but let them not turn again to folly.

9Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,

that glory may dwell in our land.

10Mercy and truth meet together.

Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

11Truth springs out of the earth.

Righteousness has looked down from heaven.

12Yes, the LORD will give that which is good.

Our land will yield its increase.

13Righteousness goes before him,

and prepares the way for his steps.

18The disciples of John told him about all these things. 19John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?” 20When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’” 21In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight. 22Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 23Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”