Day 323 – November 19, 2021

Ezekiel 10

The Glory Leaves the Temple

1 Then I looked, and behold, over the firmament above the heads of the cherubim, there was the likeness of a throne over them, like a sapphire stone.†

2 He spoke to the man clothed with the long robe, “Go in between the wheels underneath the cherubim, and fill your hands with coals of fire from among the cherubim, and scatter them over the city.” So he went in as I watched.

3 Now the cherubim were standing on the right side of the house as the man was entering, and the cloud filled the inner court.

4 Then the glory of the Lord went up from the cherubim into the inner court of the house. The cloud filled the house, and the court was filled with the brightness of the Lord’s glory.†

5 The sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of Almighty God when He speaks.

6 Then it came to pass, as He was commanding the man clothed in the sacred robe, saying, “Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubim,” that he went in and stood near the wheels.

7 A cherub stretched out his hand into the midst of the fire, between the cherubim, and took and put it into the hands of the man clothed with the sacred garment. The man took it and went out.

8 I saw the cherubim having the likeness of men’s hands under their wings.†

9 I looked, and behold, four wheels were standing near the cherubim, one wheel by each cherub; and the appearance of the wheels was like that of a precious stone.

10 As for their appearance, there was one likeness to the four, as when a wheel is in the midst of a wheel.

11 When they went, they went on their four sides. They did not turn when they went, for they followed in the direction the first head was looking, but they did not turn as they went.

12 Their backs and hands, and their wings and wheels, were all full of eyes all around their four wheels.

13 As for the wheels, they were called in my hearing, “wheel.”†

14 The cherubim were the same living creatures I saw by the River Chebar.

15 When the cherubim went, the wheels close to them went; and when the cherubim lifted their wings to mount up from the earth, the wheels did not turn.

16 When the cherubim stood, the wheels stood; and when the cherubim mounted up, the wheels mounted up with them, because the spirit of life was in them.

17 Then the glory of the Lord departed from the house and went upon the cherubim.†

18 The cherubim lifted their wings and mounted up from the earth in my sight. When they went out, the wheels were beside them; and they stood by the porches of the door of the Lord’s house opposite them. The glory of the God of Israel was over and above them.

19 This is the living creature I saw under the God of Israel, by the River Chebar, and I knew they were cherubim.

20 Each had four faces and each had eight wings, and the likeness of a man’s hand was under their wings.

21 As for the likeness of their faces, these are the same faces I saw under the glory of the God of Israel by the River Chebar; and they went straight forward.

Psalms 114

1 Alleluia. †I have loved, because the Lord Shall hear the voice of my supplication; 

2 For He inclined His ear to me, And in my days I shall call upon Him. 

3 The pains of death surrounded me; The dangers of Hades found me; I found affliction and grief. 

4 Then I called upon the Lord’s name, “O Lord, save my soul.” 

5 The Lord is merciful and righteous, And our God has mercy. 

6 The Lord is He who watches over children; I was humbled, and He saved me. 

7 Return, O my soul, to your rest, Because the Lord showed you kindness; 

8 For He delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from slipping. 

9 I shall be well pleasing before the Lord in the land of the living.

Proverbs of Solomon 24

35 A man without discernment is like a field, And a man in need of discernment is like a vineyard; 

36 If you leave it alone, it will remain dry and barren, Altogether covered with grass and forsaken, And its stone walls will be razed to the ground. 

37 Afterward, I repented; I observed that I might choose instruction. 

38 I doze a little, and I sleep a little, And I fold my arms across my chest a little. 

39 If you do this, your poverty shall go before you, And want, like a strong runner.

Hebrews 12

The Purity of Christian Community

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

29 For our God is a consuming fire.†

Hebrews 13

1 Let brotherly love continue.†

2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

6 So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” 

Remember Those Who Rule Over You

7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.†

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.†

Loyalty to Orthodox Doctrine and Worship

9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.†

10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.†

11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp.†

12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.†

14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.

15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.†

16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

The Holy Life Summarized

17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.

19 But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Conclusion

20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,†

21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.

23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.

24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen.