7th December 2025 Evening Prayer

The Psalter

O LORD, thy word * endureth for ever in heaven.

Thy truth also remaineth from one generation to another; * thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and it abideth.

They continue this day according to thine ordinance; * for all things serve thee.

If my delight had not been in thy law, * I should have perished in my trouble.

I will never forget thy commandments; * for with them thou hast quickened me.

I am thine: O save me, * for I have sought thy commandments.

The ungodly laid wait for me, to destroy me; * but I will consider thy testimonies.

I see that all things come to an end; * but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

LORD, what love have I unto thy law! * all the day long is my study in it.

Thou, through thy commandments, hast made me wiser than mine enemies; * for they are ever with me.

I have more understanding than my teachers; * for thy testimonies are my study.

I am wiser than the aged; * because I keep thy commandments.

I have refrained my feet from every evil way, * that I may keep thy word.

I have not shrunk from thy judgments; * for thou teachest me.

O how sweet are thy words unto my throat; * yea, sweeter than honey unto my mouth!

Through thy commandments I get understanding: * therefore I hate all evil ways.

The First Lesson

Amos3:1-8

3 Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,

You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?

Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?

Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?

Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

The Second Lesson

1Thess2:1-13

For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

The Second Sunday in Advent

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.