Thursday of the 1st week of Advent

1In that day, this song will be sung in the land of Judah:

“We have a strong city.

God appoints salvation for walls and bulwarks.

2Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter:

the one which keeps faith.

3You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace,

because he trusts in you.

4Trust in the LORD forever;

for in the LORD, the LORD, is an everlasting Rock.

5For he has brought down those who dwell on high, the lofty city.

He lays it low.

He lays it low even to the ground.

He brings it even to the dust.

6The foot shall tread it down,

even the feet of the poor

and the steps of the needy.”

1Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his loving kindness endures forever.

…

8It is better to take refuge in the LORD,

than to put confidence in man.

9It is better to take refuge in the LORD,

than to put confidence in princes.

…

19Open to me the gates of righteousness.

I will enter into them.

I will give thanks to the LORD.

20This is the gate of the LORD;

the righteous will enter into it.

21I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me,

and have become my salvation.

…

25Save us now, we beg you, LORD!

LORD, we beg you, send prosperity now.

26Blessed is he who comes in the LORD’s name!

We have blessed you out of the LORD’s house.

27The LORD is God, and he has given us light.

Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.

21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

…

24“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell—and its fall was great.”