Book of Common Prayer
How God dealt lovingly with the people of the old time in sending them his prophets, but has shown much more mercy to us, in that he sent us his own Son. Of the most excellent glory of Jesus Christ, who in all things is like his Father.
1 God in time past diversely and many ways spoke to the fathers by the prophets. 2 But in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he has made heir of all things; by whom also he made the world. 3 Which Son, being the brightness of his glory and very image of his substance, bearing up all things with the word of his power, has in his own person purged our sins, and is seated on the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 and is more excellent than the angels, inasmuch as he has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5 For to which of the angels did he say at any time: You are my Son; this day I have begotten you? And again: I will be his Father, and he shall be my Son. 6 And again, when he brings the first begotten Son into the world, he says: And all the angels of God shall worship him.
7 And of the angels he says: He makes his angels spirits, and his ministers flames of fire. 8 But to the Son he says: O God, your seat shall be for ever and ever. The sceptre of your kingdom is a right sceptre. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God, who is your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows. 10 And: You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands. 11 They shall perish, but you shall endure. They all will grow old as does a garment, 12 and as a vesture you will change them, and they will be changed. But you are always, and your years shall not fail.
13 To which of the angels did he say at any time: Sit on my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for the sakes of those who will be heirs of salvation?
The everlasting birth of Christ, and how he became man. The testimony of John. The calling of Andrew, Peter, etc.
1 In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by it, and without it was made nothing that was made. 4 In it was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, but the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came as a witness to bear witness of the light, so that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of the light 9 that was the true light, who lights all men that come into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and yet the world knew him not.
11 He came among his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them he gave power to be the children of God, in that they believed on his name – 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor yet of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us. And we saw the glory of it, as the glory of the only begotten Son of the Father, which word was full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of him and cried out, saying, This was he of whom I spoke, who, though he came after me, went before me, because he was before me. 16 And of his fullness we have all received, even grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.