O Lord,openmy lips,That my mouthmay declareYour praise.
So Judahsaid,"Whatcan we sayto my lord?Whatcan we speak?And howcan we justifyourselves? Godhas foundout the iniquityof your servants;behold,we are my lord'sslaves,bothwe and the one in whosepossessionthe cuphas been found."
With my lipsI have toldof Allthe ordinancesof Your mouth.
That I may tellof allYour praises,That in the gatesof the daughterof ZionI may rejoicein Your salvation.
The LORDsaidto him, "Whohas mademan'smouth?Orwhomakes[him] muteordeaf,orseeingorblind?Is it not I, the LORD?
so that you may rememberand be ashamedand neveropenyour mouthanymorebecauseof your humiliation,when I have forgivenyou for allthat you have done,"the LordGODdeclares.
"On that dayI will make a hornsproutfor the houseof Israel,and I will openyour mouthin their midst.Then they will knowthat I am the LORD."
"But when I speakto you, I will openyour mouthand you will sayto them, 'Thussaysthe LordGOD.'He who hears,let him hear;and he who refuses,let him refuse;for they are a rebellioushouse.
"Sayto them, 'As I live!'declaresthe LordGOD,'I takenopleasurein the deathof the wicked,but ratherthat the wickedturnfrom his wayand live.Turnback,turnbackfrom your evilways!Whythen will you die,O houseof Israel?'
and he saidto him, 'Friend,howdid you comein herewithoutweddingclothes?'And the man was speechless.
and lookingup to heavenwith a deep sigh,He saidto him, "Ephphatha!"that is, "Be opened!"
Nowwe knowthat whateverthe Lawsays,it speaksto thosewho are underthe Law,sothat everymouthmay be closedand allthe worldmay becomeaccountableto God;
ThroughHim then,let us continuallyofferup a sacrificeof praiseto God,that is, the fruitof lipsthat give thanksto His name.
"He keepsthe feetof His godlyones,But the wickedonesare silencedin darkness;For not by mightshall a manprevail.
