Morning Prayer

A Reading from the Book of Revelation.

14 The second woe has passed. The third woe is coming very soon. 15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever.” 16 Then the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 singing, “We give you thanks, Lord God Almighty, who are and who were, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. 18 The nations raged, but your wrath has come, and the time for judging the dead, for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints and all who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying those who destroy the earth.” 19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple; and there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.

A Reading from the Wisdom of Ben Sira.

1 Wisdom praises herself,    and tells of her glory in the midst of her people. 2 In the assembly of the Most High she opens her mouth,    and in the presence of his hosts she tells of her glory: 3 ‘I came forth from the mouth of the Most High,    and covered the earth like a mist. 4 I dwelt in the highest heavens,    and my throne was in a pillar of cloud. 5 Alone I compassed the vault of heaven    and traversed the depths of the abyss. 6 Over waves of the sea, over all the earth,    and over every people and nation I have held sway. 7 Among all these I sought a resting-place; in whose territory should I abide? 8 ‘Then the Creator of all things gave me a command,    and my Creator chose the place for my tent. He said, “Make your dwelling in Jacob,    and in Israel receive your inheritance.” 9 Before the ages, in the beginning, he created me,    and for all the ages I shall not cease to be. 10 In the holy tent I ministered before him,    and so I was established in Zion. 11 Thus in the beloved city he gave me a resting-place,    and in Jerusalem was my domain. 12 I took root in an honoured people, in the portion of the Lord, his heritage.