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Evening Prayer (Evensong) in Traditional Language

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Please note: Daily Prayer provided by the official Church of England web site, © The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2002-2004.

    Evening Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Friday, 21 February 2025
  The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
  Introduction
   
  The minister may use a seasonal sentence before using one or more of the penitential sentences.
   
  The minister introduces the service
     
    Dearly beloved [brethren],
    the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge
       and confess our manifold sins and wickedness;
     
    [and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before
       the face of almighty God our heavenly Father;
    but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent and
       obedient heart;
    to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same
       by his infinite goodness and mercy.
    And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge
       our sins before God;
    yet ought we most chiefly so to do,
    when we assemble and meet together
    to render thanks for the great benefits that we have
       received at his hands,
    to set forth his most worthy praise,
    to hear his most holy word,
    and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary,
    as well for the body as the soul.]
     
    Wherefore I pray and beseech you,
    as many as are here present,
    to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice,
    unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying [after me]:
     
    (or)
     
    Beloved, we are come together in the presence of almighty God and of the whole company of heaven to offer unto him through our Lord Jesus Christ our worship and praise and thanksgiving; to make confession of our sins; to pray, as well for others as for ourselves, that we may know more truly the greatness of God's love and shew forth in our lives the fruits of his grace; and to ask on behalf of all men such things as their well-being doth require.
     
    Wherefore let us kneel in silence, and remember God's presence with us now.
   
All
   Almighty and most merciful Father,
    we have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
    We have followed too much the devices and desires
       of our own hearts.
    We have offended against thy holy laws.
    We have left undone those things
       which we ought to have done;
    and we have done those things
         which we ought not to have done;
    and there is no health in us.
    But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.
    Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults.
    Restore thou them that are penitent;
    according to thy promises declared unto mankind
       in Christ Jesu our Lord.
    And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
    that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
    to the glory of thy holy name.
  Amen.
   
  A priest says
     
    Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    who desireth not the death of a sinner,
    but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live;
    and hath given power, and commandment, to his ministers
    to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent,
    the absolution and remission of their sins:
    he pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent
       and unfeignedly believe his holy gospel.
    Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance,
       and his Holy Spirit,
    that those things may please him which we do at this present;
    and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy;
    so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
   
  or other ministers may say
     
    Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord,
    to thy faithful people pardon and peace,
    that they may be cleansed from all their sins,
    and serve thee with a quiet mind;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
   
All
   Our Father, which art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name;
    thy kingdom come;
    thy will be done,
    in earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread.
    And forgive us our trespasses,
  as we forgive them that trespass against us.
    And lead us not into temptation;
    but deliver us from evil.
    For thine is the kingdom,
    the power and the glory,
    for ever and ever.
    Amen.
  Evening Prayer
     
    The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
     
    These responses are used
     
    O Lord, open thou our lips
All
   and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
     
    O God, make speed to save us.
All
   O Lord, make haste to help us.
     
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
    and to the Holy Ghost;
All
   as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
    world without end. Amen.
     
    Praise ye the Lord.
All
   The Lord's name be praised.
     
  Psalmody  
   

Psalm 106

  
 

  
1
 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious *
 and his mercy endureth for ever.
  
 
  
2
 Who can express the noble acts of the Lord *
 or shew forth all his praise?
  
 
  
3
 Blessed are they that alway keep judgement *
 and do righteousness.
  
 
  
4
 Remember me, O Lord, according to the favour that thou bearest unto thy people *
 O visit me with thy salvation;
  
 
  
5
 That I may see the felicity of thy chosen *
 and rejoice in the gladness of thy people, and give thanks with thine inheritance.
  
 
  
6
 We have sinned with our fathers *
 we have done amiss, and dealt wickedly.
  
 
  
7
 Our fathers regarded not thy wonders in Egypt, neither kept they thy great goodness in remembrance *
 but were disobedient at the sea, even at the Red sea.
  
 
  
8
 Nevertheless, he helped them for his Name’s sake *
 that he might make his power to be known.
  
 
  
9
 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up *
 so he led them through the deep, as through a wilderness.
  
 
  
10
 And he saved them from the adversary’s hand *
 and delivered them from the hand of the enemy.
  
 
  
11
 As for those that troubled them, the waters overwhelmed them *
 there was not one of them left.
  
 
  
12
 Then believed they his words *
 and sang praise unto him.
  
 
  
13
 But within a while they forgat his works *
 and would not abide his counsel.
  
 
  
14
 But lust came upon them in the wilderness *
 and they tempted God in the desert.
  
 
  
15
 And he gave them their desire *
 and sent leanness withal into their soul.
  
 
  
16
 They angered Moses also in the tents *
 and Aaron the saint of the Lord.
  
 
  
17
 So the earth opened, and swallowed up Dathan *
 and covered the congregation of Abiram.
  
 
  
18
 And the fire was kindled in their company *
 the flame burnt up the ungodly.
  
 
  
19
 They made a calf in Horeb *
 and worshipped the molten image.
  
 
  
20
 Thus they turned their glory *
 into the similitude of a calf that eateth hay.
  
 
  
21
 And they forgat God their Saviour *
 who had done so great things in Egypt;
  
 
  
22
 Wondrous works in the land of Ham *
 and fearful things by the Red sea.
  
 
  
23
 So he said, he would have destroyed them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the gap *
 to turn away his wrathful indignation, lest he should destroy them.
  
 
  
24
 Yea, they thought scorn of that pleasant land *
 and gave no credence unto his word;
  
 
  
25
 But murmured in their tents *
 and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord.
  
 
  
26
 Then lift he up his hand against them *
 to overthrow them in the wilderness;
  
 
  
27
 To cast out their seed among the nations *
 and to scatter them in the lands.
  
 
  
28
 They joined themselves unto Baalpeor *
 and ate the offerings of the dead.
  
 
  
29
 Thus they provoked him to anger with their own inventions *
 and the plague was great among them.
  
 
  
30
 Then stood up Phinees and prayed *
 and so the plague ceased.
  
 
  
31
 And that was counted unto him for righteousness *
 among all posterities for evermore.
  
 
  
32
 They angered him also at the waters of strife *
 so that he punished Moses for their sakes;
  
 
  
33
 Because they provoked his spirit *
 so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.
  
 
  
34
 Neither destroyed they the heathen *
 as the Lord commanded them;
  
 
  
35
 But were mingled among the heathen *
 and learned their works.
  
 
  
36
 Insomuch that they worshipped their idols, which turned to their own decay *
 yea, they offered their sons and their daughters unto devils;
  
 
  
37
 And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters *
 whom they offered unto the idols of Canaan; and the land was defiled with blood.
  
 
  
38
 Thus were they stained with their own works *
 and went a whoring with their own inventions.
  
 
  
39
 Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people *
 insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.
  
 
  
40
 And he gave them over into the hand of the heathen *
 and they that hated them were lords over them.
  
 
  
41
 Their enemies oppressed them *
 and had them in subjection.
  
 
  
42
 Many a time did he deliver them *
 but they rebelled against him with their own inventions, and were brought down in their wickedness.
  
 
  
43
 Nevertheless, when he saw their adversity *
 he heard their complaint.
  
 
  
44
 He thought upon his covenant, and pitied them, according unto the multitude of his mercies *
 yea, he made all those that led them away captive to pity them.
  
 
  
45
 Deliver us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen *
 that we may give thanks unto thy holy Name, and make our boast of thy praise.
  
 
  
46
 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and world without end *
 and let all the people say, Amen.
  
 
     
    At the end of each psalm these words are said or sung
     
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
    and to the Holy Ghost;
    as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
    world without end. Amen.
     
    Old Testament Reading  
 
   

First Reading: Genesis 27.41 - end of 28

And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
 And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee.
 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;
 And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother’s fury turn away;
 Until thy brother’s anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?
 And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?

 

And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.

Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother’s father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother’s brother.
 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
 And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.
 And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother.
 When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;
 And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padanaram;
 And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father;
 Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.
 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.
 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
 And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.
 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.
 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
 So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God:
 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

       
  Magnificat  
     
    Either the Magnificat (as follows) or Cantate Domino (Psalm 98) is said or sung.
     
1
   My soul doth magnify the Lord :
    and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
     
2
   For he hath regarded :
    the lowliness of his handmaiden.
     
3
   For behold, from henceforth :
    all generations shall call me blessed.
     
4
   For he that is mighty hath magnified me :
    and holy is his Name.
     
5
   And his mercy is on them that fear him :
    throughout all generations.
     
6
   He hath shewed strength with his arm :
    he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
     
7
   He hath put down the mighty from their seat :
    and hath exalted the humble and meek.
     
8
   He hath filled the hungry with good things :
    and the rich he hath sent empty away.
     
9
   He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel :
    as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
   
Luke 1.46-55
     
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
    and to the Holy Ghost;
    as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
    world without end. Amen.
     
  New Testament Reading  
 
   

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 2.14-end

Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

     
  Nunc dimittis  
     
    Either the Nunc dimittis (as follows) or Deus misereatur (Psalm 67) is said or sung.
     
1
   Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace :
    according to thy word.
     
2
   For mine eyes have seen :
    thy salvation;
     
3
   Which thou hast prepared :
    before the face of all people;
     
4
   To be a light to lighten the Gentiles :
    and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
   
Luke 2.29-32
     
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
    and to the Holy Ghost;
    as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
    world without end. Amen.
     
  The Apostles' Creed  
     
All
   I believe in God the Father almighty,
    maker of heaven and earth:
    and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,
    who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
    born of the Virgin Mary,
    suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    was crucified, dead, and buried.
    He descended into hell;
    the third day he rose again from the dead;
    he ascended into heaven,
    and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty;
    from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Ghost;
    the holy catholic Church;
    the communion of saints;
    the forgiveness of sins;
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting.
    Amen.
     
  Prayers  
     
    The Lord be with you.
All
   And with thy spirit.
     
    Let us pray.
     
    Lord, have mercy upon us.
All
   Christ, have mercy upon us.
    Lord, have mercy upon us.
     
All
   Our Father, which art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name;
    thy kingdom come;
    thy will be done,
    in earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread.
    And forgive us our trespasses,
    as we forgive them that trespass against us.
    And lead us not into temptation;
    but deliver us from evil. Amen.
     
    O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us.
All
   And grant us thy salvation.
     
    O Lord, save the King.
All
   And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
     
    Endue thy ministers with righteousness.
All
   And make thy chosen people joyful.
     
    O Lord, save thy people.
All
   And bless thine inheritance.
     
    Give peace in our time, O Lord.
All
   Because there is none other that fighteth for us,
    but only thou, O God.
     
    O God, make clean our hearts within us.
All
   And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
     
    Three Collects are said.
     
  The Collect of the Day  
     
    O Lord, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people; that we, who are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
All
   Amen.
     
     
  The Collect for Peace  
     
    O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels,
         and all just works do proceed;
    give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give;
    that both, our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments,
    and also that, by thee,
    we being defended from the fear of our enemies
    may pass our time in rest and quietness;
    through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
All
   Amen.
     
  The Collect for Aid against all Perils  
     
    Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord;
    and by thy great mercy defend us
         from all perils and dangers of this night;
    for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
All
   Amen.
     
    The order for the end of the service may include:
     
    hymns or anthems
       a sermon
    further prayers (which may include prayers from here)
     
    This prayer may be used to conclude the service
     
    The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    and the love of God,
    and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost,
    be with us all evermore.
All
   Amen.
     
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