Evening Prayer

A Reading from the Gospel According to John.

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

A Reading from the Wisdom of Ben Sira.

1 The pride of the higher realms is the clear vault of the sky,    as glorious to behold as the sight of the heavens. 2 The sun, when it appears, proclaims as it rises    what a marvellous instrument it is, the work of the Most High. 3 At noon it parches the land,    and who can withstand its burning heat? 4 A man tending a furnace works in burning heat,    but three times as hot is the sun scorching the mountains; it breathes out fiery vapours,    and its bright rays blind the eyes. 5 Great is the Lord who made it; at his orders it hurries on its course. 6 It is the moon that marks the changing seasons,    governing the times, their everlasting sign. 7 From the moon comes the sign for festal days,    a light that wanes when it completes its course. 8 The new moon, as its name suggests, renews itself; how marvellous it is in this change, a beacon to the hosts on high, shining in the vault of the heavens! 9 The glory of the stars is the beauty of heaven,    a glittering array in the heights of the Lord. 10 On the orders of the Holy One they stand in their appointed places;    they never relax in their watches. 11 Look at the rainbow, and praise him who made it;    it is exceedingly beautiful in its brightness. 12 It encircles the sky with its glorious arc; the hands of the Most High have stretched it out. 12 [ 27 We could say more but could never say enough;    let the final word be: ‘He is the all.’ 28 Where can we find the strength to praise him?    For he is greater than all his works. 29 Awesome is the Lord and very great,    and marvellous is his power. 30 Glorify the Lord and exalt him as much as you can,    for he surpasses even that. When you exalt him, summon all your strength,    and do not grow weary, for you cannot praise him enough. 31 Who has seen him and can describe him?    Or who can extol him as he is? 32 Many things greater than these lie hidden,    for I have seen but few of his works. 33 For the Lord has made all things, and to the godly he has given wisdom.]