Bible Society of South Africa

Season after Pentecost: Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

First reading and Psalm

The Call of Jeremiah

4The LORD said to me, 5“I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born I selected you to be a prophet to the nations.”

6I answered, “Sovereign LORD, I don't know how to speak; I am too young.”

7But the LORD said to me, “Do not say that you are too young, but go to the people I send you to, and tell them everything I command you to say. 8Do not be afraid of them, for I will be with you to protect you. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

9Then the LORD stretched out his hand, touched my lips, and said to me, “Listen, I am giving you the words you must speak. 10Today I give you authority over nations and kingdoms to uproot and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Jeremiah 1:4-10GNBOpen in Bible reader

An Old Person's Prayer

1LORD, I have come to you for protection;

never let me be defeated!

2Because you are righteous, help me and rescue me.

Listen to me and save me!

3Be my secure shelter

and a strong fortress to protect me;

you are my refuge and defence.

4My God, rescue me from the wicked,

from the power of those who are cruel and evil.

5Sovereign LORD, I put my hope in you;

I have trusted in you since I was young.

6I have relied on you all my life;

you have protected me since the day I was born.

I will always praise you.

Psalms 71:1-6GNBOpen in Bible reader
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