Golden Text
Matthew 5:48
48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Responsive Reading
I John 3:1–3; Psalms 63:1 (to 2nd ;), 3, 4; Psalms 18:30–32
I John 3:1See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
2Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
3And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
Ps. 63:1O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
3Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
4So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
18:30This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.
31For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?—
32the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless.
The Responsive Reading is from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®.