First Sunday of September

Semidouble

August 29th or one of the next six days thereafter

Vespers on the Eve of the
First Sunday of September

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

All as at Saturday Vespers except for what is proper as below

V.  Vespertína orátio ascéndat ad te, Dómine.
R.  Et descéndat super nos misericórdia tua.

V.  Let our evening prayer come up before thee, O Lord.
R.  And let thy mercy come down upon us.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Cum audísset Job * nuntiórum verba, sustínuit patiénter, et ait : Si bona suscépimus de manu Dómini, mala autem quare non sustineámus?  In ómnibus his non peccávit Job lábiis suis, neque stultum áliquid contra Deum locútus est.

Ant. on Magnif:  When Job heard * the words of the messengers, he suffered it patiently, and said : What! shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil?  In all this did not Job sin with his lips, nor charged God foolishly.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS if it is said

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn

If this Scripture cannot be read on this day, it with the Responds of this day should be transferred to the first ensuing day upon which the Scripture of the Season can be read, the Lessons of which day are then omitted.

First Nocturn

Absolutio: Exáudi, Dómine Jesu Christe, preces servórum tuórum, et miserére nobis : Qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivis et regnas in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  Graciously hear, O Lord Jesu Christ, the prayers of thy servants, and have mercy upon us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, for ever and ever.
R.  Amen.

Benedíctio 1: Benedictióne perpétua benedícat nos Pater ætérnus.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 1:  May the Father Eternal bless us with a never-ending blessing.
R.  Amen.

Incipit liber Job

Here beginneth the Book of Job

Vir erat in terra Hus nómine Job, et erat vir ille simplex et rectus ac timens Deum et recédens a malo.  Natíque sunt ei septem fílii et tres fíliæ.  Et fuit posséssio ejus septem míllia óvium et tria míllia camelórum, quingénta quoque juga boum et quingéntæ ásinæ ac família multa nimis : erátque vir ille magnus inter omnes Orientáles.

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.  And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.  His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Si bona suscépimus de manu Dei, mala autem quare non sustineámus? * Dóminus dedit, Dóminus ábstulit ; sicut Dómino plácuit, ita factum est : sit nomen Dómini benedíctum.
V.  Nudus egréssus sum de útero matris meæ et nudus revértar illuc.
R.  Dóminus dedit, Dóminus ábstulit ; sicut Dómino plácuit, ita factum est : sit nomen Dómini benedíctum.

R.  Shall we receive good at the hand of God and not receive evil also? * The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away ; as the Lord hath pleased, so hath it befallen ; blessed be the Name of the Lord.
V.  Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I thither return.
R.  The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away ; as the Lord hath pleased, so hath it befallen ; blessed be the Name of the Lord.

Benedíctio 2: Unigénitus Dei Fílius nos benedícere et adjuváre dignétur.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 2: May the Son of God, the sole-begotten, mercifully bless and keep us.
R.  Amen.

Et ibant fílii ejus et faciébant convívium per domos, unusquísque in die suo.  Et mitténtes vocábant tres soróres suas, ut coméderent et bíberent cum eis.  Cumque in orbem transíssent dies convívii, mittébat ad eos Job et sanctificábat illos, consurgénsque dilúculo offerébat holocáusta pro síngulis ; dicébat enim : Ne forte peccáverint fílii mei et benedíxerint Deo in córdibus suis.  Sic faciébat Job cunctis diébus.

And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.  And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Antequam cómedam suspíro, et tamquam inundántes aquæ sic rugítus meus ; quia timor, quem timébam, evénit mihi, et quod verébar áccidit.  Nonne dissimulávi? nonne sílui? nonne quiévi? * Et venit super me indignátio.
V.  Ecce non est auxílium mihi in me, et necessárii quoque mei recessérunt a me.
R.  Et venit super me indignátio.

R.  My sighing cometh unto me before I eat, and my groaning is poured out like the waters : for the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of befalleth me.  Was I not silent?  Held not I my peace?  Was not I at rest? * And trouble came upon me.
V.  Behold, I cannot help myself, and they that were needful unto me have forsaken me.
R.  And trouble came upon me.

Benedíctio 3: Spíritus Sancti grátia illúminet sensus et corda nostra.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 3: May the grace of the Holy Spirit all our heart and mind enlighten.
R.  Amen.

Quidam autem die, cum veníssent fílii Dei ut assísterent coram Dómino, áffuit inter eos étiam Satan.  Cui dixit Dóminus : Unde venis?  Qui respóndens ait : Circuívi terram et perambulávi eam.  Dixítque Dóminus ad eum : Numquid considerásti servum meum Job, quod non sit ei símilis in terra, homo simplex et rectus ac timens Deum et recédens a malo?  Cui respóndens Satan ait : Numquid Job frustra timet Deum? nonne tu vallásti eum ac domum ejus, universámque substántiam per circúitum opéribus mánuum ejus benedixísti, et posséssio ejus crevit in terra?  Sed exténde páululum manum tuam et tange cuncta quæ póssidet, nisi in fáciem benedíxerit tibi.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.  And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.  And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?  Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?  Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.  But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Quare detraxístis sermónibus veritátis? ad increpándum verba compónitis et subvértere nitímini amícum vestrum : * Verúmtamen quæ cogitástis, expléte.
V.  Quod justum est, judicáte ; et non inveniétis in lingua mea iniquitátem.
R.  Verúmtamen quæ cogitástis, expléte.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Verúmtamen quæ cogitástis, expléte.

R.  Why do ye argue against the words of truth?  Do ye imagine words to reprove me? and strive to confound one that is your friend? * Nevertheless, finish that ye have in mind.
V.  Judge that which is just, and ye shall find no iniquity in my tongue.
R.  Nevertheless, finish that ye have in mind.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Nevertheless, finish that ye have in mind.

Second Nocturn

Absolutio: Ipsíus píetas et misericórdia nos ádjuvet, qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  May his loving-kindness and mercy assist us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, for ever and ever.
R.  Amen.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 4: Deus Pater omnípotens sit nobis propítius et clemens.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 4:  May God the Father Almighty shew us his mercy and pity.
R.  Amen.

Scriptúra sacra mentis óculis quasi quoddam spéculum oppónitur, ut intérna nostra fácies in ipsa videátur.  Ibi étenim fœda, ibi pulchra nostra cognóscimus : ibi sentímus quantum profícimus, ibi a proféctu quam longe distámus.  Narrat autem gesta Sanctórum, et ad imitatiónem corda próvocat infirmórum ; dumque illórum victrícia facta commémorat, contra vitiórum prælia, debília nostra confírmat : fitque verbis illíus, ut eo mens minus inter certámina trépidet, quo ante se pósitos tot virórum fórtium triúmphos videt.

Holy Scripture is put before the eyes of our mind somewhat after the fashion of a looking-glass, that we may see therein the aspect of our inward man.  Therein we see what traits of ours are unsightly, and what are comely ; thereby we judge how we are growing, and how far as yet we are from fulness of stature.  Holy Scripture telleth of the doings of the Saints, and stirreth up the heart of us weaklings to follow them.  While it maketh memorial of their victorious deeds, it strengtheneth our frailty to strive against sin.  And so by the words of the Scripture it cometh to pass that the soul trembleth less at the battle, inasmuch as it seeth how often the enemies have in former times been beaten by brave men.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Indúta est caro mea putrédine, et sórdibus púlveris cutis mea áruit et contrácta est : * Meménto mei, Dómine, quóniam ventus est vita mea.
V.  Dies mei velócius transiérunt quam a texénte tela succíditur, et consúmpti sunt absque ulla spe.
R.  Meménto mei, Dómine, quóniam ventus est vita mea.

R.  My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust ; my skin is dry and drawn together. *  Remember me, O Lord, for my life is but a breath, like the wind.
V.  My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
R.  Remember me, O Lord, for my life is but a breath, like the wind.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 5: Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 5: May Christ bestow upon us the joys of life eternal.
R.  Amen.

Nonnúmquam vero non solum nobis eórum virtútes ásserit, sed étiam casus innotéscit ; ut et in victória fórtium, quod imitándo arrípere, et rursum videámus in lápsibus quid debeámus timére.  Ecce enim Job descríbitur tentatióne auctus, sed David tentatióne prostrátus ; ut et majórum virtus spem nostram fóveat, et majórum casus ad cautelam nos humilitátis accíngat : quátenus dum illa gaudéntes súblevant, ista metuéntes premant ; et audiéntis ánimus illinc spei fidúcia, hinc humilitáte timóris erudítus, nec temeritáte supérbiat, quia formídine prémitur ; nec pressus timóre despéret, quia ad spei fidúciam virtútis exémplo roborátur.

And sometimes Holy Scripture sheweth unto us, not only how the Saints fought bravely, but also how they fell, that we may see by the example of the mighty, not only what weapons we must take, if we would conquer, but also what snares we must keep clear of, if we would avoid falling.  For example : on the one hand, there is Job, waxing nobler under trial ; and on the other hand, there is David, tried, and failing utterly.  And so the glory of God's great ones doth strengthen our hope, and the backsliding of the same doth stir us up to be watchful and lowly.  Thus the one cheereth us with gladness, and the other putteth us on our guard through fear ; so that the soul of him that heareth of these things may by the one gain sure and certain hope, and by the other be stirred to fearfulness and watchfulness ; and on this wise the soul is not rashly puffed up, nor is it hopelessly cast down, or faint under the weight of dread, forasmuch as it is kept in trustfulness by the example of him who triumphed.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Páucitas diérum meórum finiétur brevi ; dimítte me, Dómine, ut plangam páululum dolórem meum, * Antequam vadam ad terram tenebrósam et opértam mortis calígine.
V.  Manus tuæ, Dómine, fecérunt me, et plasmavérunt me totum in circúitu ; et sic repénte præcípitas me?
R.  Antequam vadam ad terram tenebrósam et opértam mortis calígine.

R.  My days are few, and in a short while they will be ended ; let me alone, then, O Lord, that I may bewail my sorrow a little, * Before I go to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death.
V.  Thine hands, O Lord, have made me, and fashioned me together round about ; and yet dost thou forthwith destroy me?
R.  Before I go to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 6: Ignem sui amóris accéndat Deus in córdibus nostris.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 6: May God enkindle in our hearts the fire of his holy love.
R.  Amen.

Vir erat in terra Hus, nómine Job.  Idcírco sanctus vir ubi habitáverit dícitur, ut ejus méritum virtútis exprimátur.  Hus namque quis nésciat quod sit in terra Gentílium?  Gentílitas autem eo obligáta vítiis éxstitit, quo cognitiónem sui Conditóris ignorávit.  Dicátur ítaque ubi habitáverit ; ut hoc ejus láudibus profíciat, quod bonus inter malos fuit.  Neque enim valde laudábile est, bonum esse cum bonis, sed bonum esse cum malis.  Sicut enim gravióris culpæ est, inter bonus bonum non esse ; ita imménsi est præcónii, bonum étiam inter malos exstitísse.

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job.  We are thus told where this holy man lived, that thereby we may gauge the worth of his bravery.  Who knoweth not that Uz is a place in the countries of the Gentiles?  The Gentile world had been so degraded and corrupted by sin, that they had ceased to know that they had a Maker.  Therefore is it told us where Job dwelt, that it may redound to his praise that he was good in the midst of the wicked.  It is not so praiseworthy to be good among the good, as it is to be good among the bad.  For even as it is more grievous to be bad among the good, so is it right praiseworthy to have remained good among the bad.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Non abscóndas me, Dómine, a fácie tua : manum tuam longe fac a me, * Et formído tua non me térreat.
V.  Córripe me, Dómine, in misericórdia, non in furóre tuo, ne forte ad níhilum rédigas me.
R.  Et formído tua non me térreat.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et formído tua non me térreat.

R.  Hide not thy face from me, O Lord, withdraw not thine hand far from me ; * Let not thy dread make me afraid.
V.  O Lord, correct me, but with mercy, not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
R.  Let not thy dread make me afraid.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Let not thy dread make me afraid.