Morning Prayer

A Reading from the Letter to the Philippians.

1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

A Reading from the Book of Proverbs.

1 Do not boast about tomorrow,    for you do not know what a day may bring. 2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—    a stranger, and not your own lips. 3 A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,    but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both. 4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming,    but who is able to stand before jealousy? 5 Better is open rebuke    than hidden love. 6 Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts,    but profuse are the kisses of an enemy. 10 Do not forsake your friend or the friend of your parent;    do not go to the house of your kindred on the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbour who is nearby    than kindred who are far away. 11 Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad,    so that I may answer whoever reproaches me. 12 The clever see danger and hide; but the simple go on, and suffer for it.