Bible Society of South Africa

Season after Pentecost: Third Sunday after Pentecost

Alternate first reading and Psalm

8That evening they heard the LORD God walking in the garden, and they hid from him among the trees. 9But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?”

10He answered, “I heard you in the garden; I was afraid and hid from you, because I was naked.”

11“Who told you that you were naked?” God asked. “Did you eat the fruit that I told you not to eat?”

12The man answered, “The woman you put here with me gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”

13The LORD God asked the woman, “Why did you do this?”

She replied, “The snake tricked me into eating it.”

God Pronounces Judgement

14Then the LORD God said to the snake, “You will be punished for this; you alone of all the animals must bear this curse: from now on you will crawl on your belly, and you will have to eat dust as long as you live. 15I will make you and the woman hate each other; her offspring and yours will always be enemies. Her offspring will crush your head, and you will bite her offspring's heel.”

Genesis 3:8-15GNBOpen in Bible reader

A Prayer for Help

1From the depths of my despair I call to you, LORD.

2Hear my cry, O Lord;

listen to my call for help!

3If you kept a record of our sins,

who could escape being condemned?

4But you forgive us,

so that we should stand in awe of you.

5I wait eagerly for the LORD's help,

and in his word I trust.

6I wait for the Lord

more eagerly than watchmen wait for the dawn —

than watchmen wait for the dawn.

7Israel, trust in the LORD,

because his love is constant

and he is always willing to save.

8He will save his people Israel

from all their sins.

Psalms 130:1-8GNBOpen in Bible reader
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