Bible Society of South Africa

Season after Pentecost: Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

First reading

Jacob's Dream at Bethel

10Jacob left Beersheba and started towards Haran. 11At sunset he came to a holy place and camped there. He lay down to sleep, resting his head on a stone. 12He dreamt that he saw a stairway reaching from earth to heaven, with angels going up and coming down on it. 13And there was the LORD standing beside him. “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham and Isaac,” he said. “I will give to you and to your descendants this land on which you are lying. 14They will be as numerous as the specks of dust on the earth. They will extend their territory in all directions, and through you and your descendants I will bless all the nations. 15Remember, I will be with you and protect you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done all that I have promised you.”

16Jacob woke up and said, “The LORD is here! He is in this place, and I didn't know it!” 17He was afraid and said, “What a terrifying place this is! It must be the house of God; it must be the gate that opens into heaven.”

18Jacob got up early next morning, took the stone that was under his head, and set it up as a memorial. Then he poured olive oil on it to dedicate it to God. 19He named the place Bethel. (The town there was once known as Luz.)

Genesis 28:10-19GNBOpen in Bible reader

God's Complete Knowledge and Care

1LORD, you have examined me and you know me.

2You know everything I do;

from far away you understand all my thoughts.

3You see me, whether I am working or resting;

you know all my actions.

4Even before I speak,

you already know what I will say.

5You are all round me on every side;

you protect me with your power.

6Your knowledge of me is too deep;

it is beyond my understanding.

7Where could I go to escape from you?

Where could I get away from your presence?

8If I went up to heaven, you would be there;

if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there.

9If I flew away beyond the east

or lived in the farthest place in the west,

10you would be there to lead me,

you would be there to help me.

11I could ask the darkness to hide me

or the light round me to turn into night,

12but even darkness is not dark for you,

and the night is as bright as the day.

Darkness and light are the same to you.

Psalms 139:1-12GNBOpen in Bible reader

23Examine me, O God, and know my mind;

test me, and discover my thoughts.

24Find out if there is any evil in me

and guide me in the everlasting way.

Psalms 139:23-24GNBOpen in Bible reader
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