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26, Baramhat 1741 (Friday, 4 April 2025)

Friday of the Sixth week of the Holy Lent

Matins

Prophecy

Genesis 22:1-18

1Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, Abraham! And he said, Here I am.2Then He said, Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.3So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.4Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off.5And Abraham said to his young men, Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.6So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together.7But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, My father! And he said, Here I am, my son. Then he said, Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?8And Abraham said, My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering. So the two of them went together.9Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.10And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.11But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham! So he said, Here I am.12And He said, Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.13Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.14And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, In the Mount of The Lord it shall be provided.15Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven,16and said: By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son--17blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.18In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.

Prophecy

Isaiah 45:11-17

11Thus says the Lord, The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons; And concerning the work of My hands, you command Me.12I have made the earth, And created man on it. I--My hands-- stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded.13I have raised him up in righteousness, And I will direct all his ways; He shall build My city And let My exiles go free, Not for price nor reward, Says the Lord of hosts.14Thus says the Lord: The labor of Egypt and merchandise of Cush And of the Sabeans, men of stature, Shall come over to you, and they shall be yours; They shall walk behind you, They shall come over in chains; And they shall bow down to you. They will make supplication to you, saying, `Surely God is in you, And there is no other; There is no other God.'15Truly You are God, who hide Yourself, O God of Israel, the Savior!16They shall be ashamed And also disgraced, all of them; They shall go in confusion together, Who are makers of idols.17But Israel shall be saved by the Lord With an everlasting salvation; You shall not be ashamed or disgraced Forever and ever.

Prophecy

Proverbs 9:12-18

12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.13A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing.14For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city,15To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way:16Whoever is simple, let him turn in here; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,17Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.18But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of hell.

Prophecy

Job 36:1-33

1Elihu also proceeded and said:2Bear with me a little, and I will show you That there are yet words to speak on God's behalf.3I will fetch my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.4For truly my words are not false; One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.5Behold, God is mighty, but despises no one; He is mighty in strength of understanding.6He does not preserve the life of the wicked, But gives justice to the oppressed.7He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous; But they are on the throne with kings, For He has seated them forever, And they are exalted.8And if they are bound in fetters, Held in the cords of affliction,9Then He tells them their work and their transgressions--That they have acted defiantly.10He also opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they turn from iniquity.11If they obey and serve Him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.12But if they do not obey, They shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge.13But the hypocrites in heart store up wrath; They do not cry for help when He binds them.14They die in youth, And their life ends among the perverted persons.15He delivers the poor in their affliction, And opens their ears in oppression.16Indeed He would have brought you out of dire distress, Into a broad place where there is no restraint; And what is set on your table would be full of richness.17But you are filled with the judgment due the wicked; Judgment and justice take hold of you.18Because there is wrath, beware lest He take you away with one blow; For a large ransom would not help you avoid it.19Will your riches, Or all the mighty forces, Keep you from distress?20Do not desire the night, When people are cut off in their place.21Take heed, do not turn to iniquity, For you have chosen this rather than affliction.22Behold, God is exalted by His power; Who teaches like Him?23Who has assigned Him His way, Or who has said, `You have done wrong'?24Remember to magnify His work, Of which men have sung.25Everyone has seen it; Man looks on it from afar.26Behold, God is great, and we do not know Him; Nor can the number of His years be discovered.27For He draws up drops of water, Which distill as rain from the mist,28Which the clouds drop down And pour abundantly on man.29Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of clouds, The thunder from His canopy?30Look, He scatters his light upon it, And covers the depths of the sea.31For by these He judges the peoples; He gives food in abundance.32He covers His hands with lightning, And commands it to strike.33His thunder declares it, The cattle also, concerning the rising storm.

Prophecy

Job 37:1-24

1At this also my heart trembles, And leaps from its place.2Hear attentively the thunder of His voice, And the rumbling that comes from His mouth.3He sends it forth under the whole heaven, His lightning to the ends of the earth.4After it a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard.5God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend.6For He says to the snow, `Fall on the earth'; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.7He seals the hand of every man, That all men may know His work.8The beasts go into dens, And remain in their lairs.9From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind, And cold from the scattering winds of the north.10By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters are frozen.11Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds; He scatters His bright clouds.12And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance, That they may do whatever He commands them On the face of the whole earth.13He causes it to come, Whether for correction, Or for His land, Or for mercy.14Listen to this, O Job; Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.15Do you know when God dispatches them, And causes the light of His cloud to shine?16Do you know how the clouds are balanced, Those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?17Why are your garments hot, When He quiets the earth by the south wind?18With Him, have you spread out the skies, Strong as a cast metal mirror?19Teach us what we should say to Him, For we can prepare nothing because of the darkness.20Should He be told that I wish to speak? If a man were to speak, surely he would be swallowed up.21Even now men cannot look at the light when it is bright in the skies, When the wind has passed and cleared them.22He comes from the north as golden splendor; With God is awesome majesty.23As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, In judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress.24Therefore men fear Him; He shows no partiality to any who are wise of heart.

Prophecy

Tobit 1:1 - 3:6

1Tobias of the tribe and city of Nephtali, (which is in the upper parts of Galilee above Naasson, beyond the way that leadeth to the west, having on the right hand the city of Sephet,)2When he was made captive in the days of Salmanasar king of the Assyrians, even in his captivity, forsook not the way of truth,3But every day gave all he could get to his brethren his fellow captives, that were of his kindred.4And when he was younger than any of the tribe of Nephtali, yet did he no childish thing in his work.5Moreover when all went to the golden calves which Jeroboam king of Israel had made, he alone fled the company of all,6And went to Jerusalem to the temple of the Lord, and there adored the Lord God of Israel, offering faithfully all his firstfruits, and his tithes,7So that in the third year he gave all his tithes to the proselytes, and strangers.8These and such like things did he observe when but a boy according to the law of God.9But when he was a man, he took to wife Anna of his own tribe, and had a son by her, whom he called after his own name,10And from his infancy he taught him to fear God, and to abstain from all sin.11And when by the captivity he with his wife and his son and all his tribe was come to the city of Ninive,12(When all ate of the meats of the Gentiles) he kept his soul and never was defiled with their meats.13And because he was mindful of the Lord with all his heart, God gave him favour in the sight of Salmanasar the king.14And he gave him leave to go whithersoever he would, with liberty to do whatever he had a mind.15He therefore went to all that were in captivity, and gave them wholesome admonitions.16And when he was come to Rages a city of the Medes, and had ten talents of silver of that with which he had been honoured by the king:17And when amongst a great multitude of his kindred, he saw Gabelus in want, who was one of his tribe, taking a note of his hand he gave him the aforesaid sum of money.18But after a long time, Salmanasar the king being dead, when Sennacherib his son, who reigned in his place, had a hatred for the children of Israel:19Tobias daily went among all his kindred and comforted them, and distributed to every one as he was able, out of his goods:20He fed the hungry, and gave clothes to the naked, and was careful to bury the dead, and they that were slain.21And when king Sennacherib was come back, fleeing from Judea by reason of the slaughter that God had made about him for his blasphemy, and being angry slew many of the children of Israel, Tobias buried their bodies.22But when it was told the king, he commanded him to be slain, and took away all his substance.23But Tobias fleeing naked away with his son and with his wife, lay concealed, for many loved him.24But after forty-five days, the king was killed by his own sons.25And Tobias returned to his house, and all his substance was restored to him.1But after this, when there was a festival of the Lord, and a good dinner was prepared in Tobias's house,2He said to his son: Go, and bring some of our tribe that fear God, to feast with us.3And when he had gone, returning he told him, that one of the children of Israel lay slain in the street. And he forthwith leaped up from his place at the table, and left his dinner, and came fasting to the body.4And taking it up carried it privately to his house, that after the sun was down, he might bury him cautiously.5And when he had hid the body, he ate bread with mourning and fear,6Remembering the word which the Lord spoke by Amos the prophet: Your festival days shall be turned into lamentation and mourning.7So when the sun was down, he went and buried him.8Now all his neighbours blamed him, saying: once already commandment was given for thee to be slain because of this matter, and thou didst scarce escape the sentence of death, and dost thou again bury the dead?9But Tobias fearing God more than the king, carried off the bodies of them that were slain, and hid them in his house, and at midnight buried them.10Now it happened one day that being wearied with burying, he came to his house, and cast himself down by the wall and slept,11And as he was sleeping, hot dung out of a swallow's nest fell upon his eyes, and he was made blind.12Now this trial the Lord therefore permitted to happen to him, that an example might be given to posterity of his patience, as also of holy Job.13For whereas he had always feared God from his infancy, and kept his commandments, he repined not against God because the evil of blindness had befallen him,14But continued immoveable in the fear of God, giving thanks to God all the days of his life.15For as the kings insulted over holy Job: so his relations and kinsmen mocked at his life, saying:16Where is thy hope, for which thou gavest alms, and buriedst the dead?17But Tobias rebuked them, saying: Speak not so:18For we are the children of the saints, and look for that life which God will give to those that never change their faith from him.19Now Anna his wife went daily to weaving work, and she brought home what she could get for their living by the labour of her hands.20Whereby it came to pass, that she received a young kid, and brought it home:21And when her husband heard it bleating, he said: Take heed, lest perhaps it be stolen: restore ye it to its owners, for it is not lawful for us either to eat or to touch any thing that cometh by theft.22At these words his wife being angry answered: It is evident thy hope is come to nothing, and thy alms now appear.23And with these and other, such like words she upbraided him.1Then Tobias sighed, and began to pray with tears,2Saying, Thou art just, O Lord, and all thy judgments are just, and all thy ways mercy, and truth, and judgment:3And now, O Lord, think of me, and take not revenge of my sins, neither remember my offences, nor those of my parents.4For we have not obeyed thy commandments, therefore are we delivered to spoil and to captivity, and death, and are made a fable, and a reproach to all nations, amongst which thou hast scattered us.5And now, O Lord, great are thy judgments, because we have not done according to thy precepts, and have not walked sincerely before thee.6And now, O Lord, do with me according to thy will, and command my spirit to be received in peace: for it is better for me to die, than to live.

Prophecy

Tobit 3:7-23

7Now it happened on the same day, that Sara daughter of Raguel, in Rages a city of the Medes, received a reproach from one of her father's servant maids,8Because she had been given to seven husbands and a devil named Asmodeus had killed them, at their first going in unto her.9So when she reproved the maid for her fault, she answered her, saying: May we never see son, or daughter of thee upon the earth, thou murderer of thy husbands.10Wilt thou kill me also, as thou hast already killed seven husbands? At these words, she went into an upper chamber of her house: and for three days and three nights did neither eat nor drink:11But continuing in prayer with tears besought God, that he would deliver her from this reproach.12And it came to pass on the third day when she was making an end of her prayer, blessing the Lord,13She said: Blessed is thy name, O God of our fathers, who when thou hast been angry, wilt shew mercy, and in the time of tribulation forgivest the sins of them that call upon thee.14To thee, O Lord, I turn my face, to thee I direct my eyes.15I beg, O Lord, that thou loose me from the bond of this reproach, or else take me away from the earth.16Thou knowest, O Lord, that I never coveted a husband, and have kept my soul clean from all lust.17Never have I joined myself with them that play: neither have I made myself partaker with them that walk in lightness.18But a husband I consented to take, with thy fear, not with my lust.19And either I was unworthy of them, or they perhaps were not worthy of me: because perhaps thou hast kept me for another man,20For thy counsel is not in man's power.21But this every one is sure of that worshippeth thee, that his life, if it be under trial, shall be crowned and if it be under tribulation, it shall be delivered: and if it be under correction, it shall be allowed to come to thy mercy.22For thou art not delighted in our being lost, because after a storm thou makest a calm, and after tears and weeping thou pourest in joyfulness.23Be thy name, O God of Israel, blessed for ever,

Prophecy

Tobit 3:24 - 6:9

24At that time the prayers of them both were heard in the sight of the glory of the most high God:25And the holy angel of the Lord, Raphael was sent to heal them both, whose prayers at one time were rehearsed in the sight of the Lord.1Therefore when Tobias thought that his prayer was heard that he might die, he called to him Tobias his son,2And said to him: Hear, my son, the words of my mouth, and lay them as a foundation in thy heart.3When God shall take my soul, thou shalt bury my body: and thou shalt honour thy mother all the days of her life:4For thou must be mindful what and how great perils she suffered for thee in her womb.5And when she also shall have ended the time of her life, bury her by me.6And all the days of thy life have God in thy mind: and take heed thou never consent to sin, nor transgress the commandments of the Lord our God.7Give alms out of thy substance, and turn not away thy face from any poor person: for so it shall come to pass that the face of the Lord shall not be turned from thee.8According to thy ability be merciful.9If thou have much give abundantly: if thou have little, take care even so to bestow willingly a little.10For thus thou storest up to thyself a good reward for the day of necessity.11For alms deliver from all sin, and from death, and will not suffer the soul to go into darkness.12Alms shall be a great confidence before the most high God, to all them that give it.13Take heed to keep thyself, my son, from all fornication, and beside thy wife never endure to know a crime.14Never suffer pride to reign in thy mind, or in thy words: for from it all perdition took its beginning.15If any man hath done any work for thee, immediately pay him his hire, and let not the wages of thy hired servant stay with thee at all.16See thou never do to another what thou wouldst hate to have done to thee by another.17Eat thy bread with the hungry and the needy, and with thy garments cover the naked,18Lay out thy bread, and thy wine upon the burial of a just man, and do not eat and drink thereof with the wicked.19Seek counsel always of a wise man.20Bless God at all times: and desire of him to direct thy ways, and that all thy counsels may abide in him.21I tell thee also, my son, that I lent ten talents of silver, while thou wast yet a child, to Gabelus, in Rages a city of the Medes, and I have a note of his hand with me:22Now therefore inquire how thou mayst go to him, and receive of him the foresaid sum of money, and restore to him the note of his hand.23Fear not, my son: we lead indeed a poor life, but we shall have many good things if we fear God, and depart from all sin, and do that which is good.1Then Tobias answered his father, and said: I will do all things, father, which thou hast commanded me.2But how I shall get this money, I cannot tell; he knoweth not me, and I know not him: what token shall I give him? nor did I ever know the way which leadeth thither.3Then his father answered him, and said: I have a note of his hand with me, which when thou shalt shew him, he will presently pay it.4But go now, and seek thee out some faithful man, to go with thee for his hire: that thou mayst receive it, while I yet live.5Then Tobias going forth, found a beautiful young man, standing girded, and as it were ready to walk.6And not knowing that he was an angel of God, he saluted him, and said: From whence art thou, good young man?7But he answered: Of the children of Israel. And Tobias said to him: Knowest thou the way that leadeth to the country of the Medes?8And he answered: I know it: and I have often walked through all the ways thereof, and I have abode with Gabelus our brother, who dwelleth at Rages a city of the Medes, which is situate in the mount of Ecbatana.9And Tobias said to him: Stay for me, I beseech thee, till I tell these same things to my father.10Then Tobias going in told all these things to his father. Upon which his father being in admiration, desired that he would come in unto him.11So going in he saluted him, and said: Joy be to thee always.12And Tobias said: What manner of joy shall be to me, who sit in darkness and see not the light of heaven?13And the young man said to him: Be of good courage, thy cure from God is at hand.14And Tobias said to him: Canst thou conduct my son to Gabelus at Rages, a city of the Medes? and when thou shalt return, I will pay thee thy hire.15And the angel said to him: I will conduct him thither, and bring him back to thee.16And Tobias said to him: I pray thee, tell me, of what family, or what tribe art thou?17And Raphael the angel answered: Dost thou seek the family of him thou hirest, or the hired servant himself to go with thy son?18But lest I should make thee uneasy, I am Azarias the son of the great Ananias.19And Tobias answered: Thou art of a great family. But I pray thee be not angry that I desired to know thy family.20And the angel said to him: I will lead thy son safe, and bring him to thee again safe.21And Tobias answering, said: May you have a good journey, and God be with you in your way, and his angel accompany you.22Then all things being ready, that were to be carried in their journey, Tobias bade his father and his mother farewell, and they set out both together.23And when they were departed, his mother began to weep, and to say: Thou hast taken the staff of our old age, and sent him away from us.24I wish the money for which thou hast sent him, had never been.25For our poverty was sufficient for us, that we might account it as riches, that we saw our son.26And Tobias said to her: Weep not, our son will arrive thither safe, and will return safe to us, and thy eyes shall see him.27For I believe that the good angel of God doth accompany him, and doth order all things well that are done about him, so that he shall return to us with joy.28At these words his mother ceased weeping, and held her peace.1And Tobias went forward, and the dog followed him, and he lodged the first night by the river of Tigris.2And he went out to wash his feet, and behold a monstrous fish came up to devour him.3And Tobias being afraid of him, cried out with a loud voice, saying: Sir, he cometh upon me.4And the angel said to him: Take him by the gill, and draw him to thee. And when he had done so, he drew him out upon the land, and he began to pant before his feet.5Then the angel said to him: Take out the entrails of this fish, and lay up his heart, and his gall, and his liver for thee: for these are necessary for useful medicines.6And when he had done so, he roasted the flesh thereof, and they took it with them in the way: the rest they salted as much as might serve them, till they came to Rages the city of the Medes.7Then Tobias asked the angel, and said to him: I beseech thee, brother Azarias, tell me what remedies are these things good for, which thou hast bid me keep of the fish?8And the angel, answering, said to him: If thou put a little piece of its heart upon coals, the smoke thereof driveth away all kind of devils, either from man or from woman, so that they come no more to them.9And the gall is good for anointing the eyes, in which there is a white speck, and they shall be cured.

Prophecy

Tobit 6:10 - 9:12

10And Tobias said to him: Where wilt thou that we lodge?11And the angel answering, said: Here is one whose name is Raguel, a near kinsman of thy tribe, and he hath a daughter named Sara, but he hath no son nor any other daughter beside her.12All his substance is due to thee, and thou must take her to wife.13Ask her therefore of her father, and he will give her thee to wife.14Then Tobias answered, and said: I hear that she hath been given to seven husbands, and they all died: moreover I have heard, that a devil killed them.15Now I am afraid, lest the same thing should happen to me also: and whereas I am the only child of my parents, I should bring down their old age with sorrow to hell.16Then the angel Raphael said to him: Hear me, and I will shew thee who they are, over whom the devil can prevail.17For they who in such manner receive matrimony, as to shut out God from themselves, and from their mind, and to give themselves to their lust, as the horse and mule, which have not understanding, over them the devil hath power.18But thou when thou shalt take her, go into the chamber, and for three days keep thyself continent from her, and give thyself to nothing else but to prayers with her.19And on that night lay the liver of the fish on the fire, and the devil shall be driven away.20But the second night thou shalt be admitted into the society of the holy Patriarchs.21And the third night thou shalt obtain a blessing that sound children may be born of you.22And when the third night is past, thou shalt take the virgin with the fear of the Lord, moved rather for love of children than for lust, that in the seed of Abraham thou mayst obtain a blessing in children.1And they went in to Raguel, and Raguel received them with joy.2And Raguel looking upon Tobias, said to Anna his wife: How like is this young man to my cousin?3And when he had spoken these words, he said: Whence are ye young men our brethren?4But they said: We are of the tribe of Nephtali, of the captivity of Ninive.5And Raguel said to them: Do you know Tobias my brother? And they said: We know him.6And when he was speaking many good things of him, the angel said to Raguel: Tobias concerning whom thou inquirest is this young man's father.7And Raguel went to him, and kissed him with tears and weeping upon his neck, said: A blessing be upon thee, my son, because thou art the son of a good and most virtuous man.8And Anna his wife, and Sara their daughter wept.9And after they had spoken, Raguel commanded a sheep to be killed, and a feast to be prepared. And when he desired them to sit down to dinner,10Tobias said: I will not eat nor drink here this day, unless thou first grant me my petition, and promise to give me Sara thy daughter.11Now when Raguel heard this he was afraid, knowing what had happened to those seven husbands, that went in unto her: and he began to fear lest it might happen to him also in like manner: and as he was in suspense, and gave no answer to his petition,12The angel said to him: Be not afraid to give her to this man, for to him who feareth God is thy daughter due to be his wife: therefore another could not have her.13Then Raguel said: I doubt not but God hath regarded my prayers and tears in his sight.14And I believe he hath therefore made you come to me, that this maid might be married to one of her own kindred, according to the law of Moses: and now doubt not but I will give her to thee.15And taking the right hand of his daughter, he gave it into the right hand of Tobias, saying: The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you, and may he join you together, and fulfil his blessing in you.16And taking paper they made a writing of the marriage.17And afterwards they made merry, blessing God.18And Raguel called to him Anna his wife, and bade her to prepare another chamber.19And she brought Sara her daughter in thither, and she wept.20And she said to her: Be of good cheer, my daughter: the Lord of heaven give thee joy for the trouble thou hast undergone.1And after they had supped, they brought in the young man to her.2And Tobias remembering the angel's word, took out of his bag part of the liver, and laid it upon burning coals.3Then the angel Raphael took the devil, and bound him in the desert of upper Egypt.4Then Tobias exhorted the virgin, and said to her: Sara, arise, and let us pray to God to day, and to morrow, and the next day: because for these three nights we are joined to God: and when the third night is over, we will be in our own wedlock.5For we are the children of saints, and we must not be joined together like heathens that know not God.6So they both arose, and prayed earnestly both together that health might be given them,7And Tobias said: Lord God of our fathers, may the heavens and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains, and the rivers, and all thy creatures that are in them, bless thee.8Thou madest Adam of the slime of the earth, and gavest him Eve for a helper.9And now, Lord, thou knowest, that not for fleshly lust do I take my sister to wife, but only for the love of posterity, in which thy name may be blessed for ever and ever.10Sara also said: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, and let us grow old both together in health.11And it came to pass about the cockcrowing, Raguel ordered his servants to be called for, and they went with him together to dig a grave.12For he said: Lest perhaps it may have happened to him, in like manner as it did to the other seven husbands, that went in unto her.13And when they had prepared the pit, Raguel went back to his wife, and said to her:14Send one of thy maids, and let her see if he be dead, that I may bury him before it be day.15So she sent one of her maidservants, who went into the chamber, and found them safe and sound, sleeping both together.16And returning she brought the good news: and Raguel and Anna his wife blessed the Lord,17And said: We bless thee, O Lord God of Israel, because it hath not happened as we suspected.18For thou hast shewn thy mercy to us, and hast shut out from us the enemy that persecuted us.19And thou hast taken pity upon two only children. Make them, O Lord, bless thee more fully: and to offer up to thee a sacrifice of thy praise, and of their health, that all nations may know, that thou alone art God in all the earth.20And immediately Raguel commanded his servants, to fill up the pit they had made, before it was day.21And he spoke to his wife to make ready a feast, and prepare all kind of provisions that are necessary for such as go a journey.22He caused also two fat kine, and four wethers to be killed, and a banquet to be prepared for all his neighbours, and all his friends,23And Raguel adjured Tobias, to abide with him two weeks.24And of all things which Raguel possessed, he gave one half to Tobias, and made a writing, that the half that remained should after their decease come also to Tobias.1Then Tobias called the angel to him, whom he took to be a man, and said to him: Brother Azarias, I pray thee hearken to my words:2If I should give myself to be thy servant I should not make a worthy return for thy care.3However, I beseech thee, to take with thee beasts and servants, and to go to Gabelus to Rages the city of the Medes: and to restore to him his note of hand, and receive of him the money, and desire him to come to my wedding.4For thou knowest that my father numbereth the days: and if I stay one day more, his soul will be afflicted.5And indeed thou seest how Raguel hath adjured me, whose adjuring I cannot despise.6Then Raphael took four of Raguel's servants, and two camels, and went to Rages the city of the Medes: and finding Gabelus, gave him his note of hand, and received of him all the money.7And he told him concerning Tobias the son of Tobias, all that had been done: and made him come with him to the wedding.8And when he was come into Raguel's house he found Tobias sitting at the table: and he leaped up, and they kissed each other: and Gabelus wept, and blessed God,9And said: The God of Israel bless thee, because thou art the son of a very good and just man, and that feareth God, and doth almsdeeds:10And may a blessing come upon thy wife and upon your parents.11And may you see your children, and your children's children, unto the third and fourth generation: and may your seed be blessed by the God of Israel, who reigneth for ever and ever.12And when all had said, Amen, they went to the feast: but the marriage feast they celebrated also with the fear of the Lord.

Prophecy

Tobit 10:1 - 11:21

1But as Tobias made longer stay upon occasion of the marriage, Tobias his father was solicitous, saying: Why thinkest thou doth my son tarry, or why is he detained there?2Is Gabelus dead, thinkest thou, and no man will pay him the money?3And he began to be exceeding sad, both he and Anna his wife with him: and they began both to weep together, because their son did not return to them on the day appointed.4But his mother wept and was quite disconsolate, and said: Woe, woe is me, my son; why did we send thee to go to a strange country, the light of our eyes, the staff of our old age, the comfort of our life, the hope of our posterity?5We having all things together in thee alone, ought not to have let thee go from us.6And Tobias said to her: Hold thy peace, and be not troubled, our son is safe: that man with whom we sent him is very trusty.7But she could by no means be comforted, but daily running out looked round about, and went into all the ways by which there seemed any hope he might return, that she might if possible see him coming afar off.8But Raguel said to his son in law: Stay here, and I will send a messenger to Tobias thy father, that thou art in health.9And Tobias said to him: I know that my father and mother now count the days, and their spirit is grievously afflicted within them.10And when Raguel had pressed Tobias with many words, and he by no means would hearken to him, he delivered Sara unto him, and half of all his substance in menservants, and womenservants, in cattle, in camels, and in kine, and in much money, and sent him away safe and joyful from him,11Saying: The holy angel of the Lord be with you in your journey, and bring you through safe, and that you may find all things well about your parents, and my eyes may see your children before I die.12And the parents taking their daughter kissed her, and let her go:13Admonishing her to honour her father and mother in law, to love her husband, to take care of the family, to govern the house, and to behave herself irreprehensibly.1And as they were returning they came to Charan, which is in the midway to Ninive, the eleventh day.2And the angel said: Brother Tobias, thou knowest how thou didst leave thy father.3If it please thee therefore, let us go before, and let the family follow softly after us, together with thy wife, and with the beasts.4And as this their going pleased him, Raphael said to Tobias: Take with thee of the gall of the fish, for it will be necessary. So Tobias took some of that gall and departed.5But Anna sat beside the way daily, on the top of a hill, from whence she might see afar off.6And while she watched his coming from that place, she saw him afar off, and presently perceived it was her son coming: and returning she told her husband, saying: Behold thy son cometh.7And Raphael said to Tobias: As soon as thou shalt come into thy house, forthwith adore the Lord thy God: and giving thanks to him, go to thy father, and kiss him.8And immediately anoint his eyes with this gall of the fish, which thou carriest with thee. For be assured that his eyes shall be presently opened, and thy father shall see the light of heaven, and shall rejoice in the sight of thee.9Then the dog, which had been with them in the way, ran before, and coming as if he had brought the news, shewed his joy by his fawning and wagging his tail.10And his father that was blind, rising up, began to run stumbling with his feet: and giving a servant his hand, went to meet his son.11And receiving him kissed him, as did also his wife, and they began to weep for joy.12And when they had adored God, and given him thanks, they sat down together.13Then Tobias taking of the gall of the fish, anointed his father's eyes.14And he stayed about half an hour: and a white skin began to come out of his eyes, like the skin of an egg.15And Tobias took hold of it, and drew it from his eyes, and immediately he recovered his sight.16And they glorified God, both he and his wife and all that knew him.17And Tobias said: I bless thee, O Lord God of Israel, because thou hast chastised me, and thou hast saved me and behold I see Tobias my son.18And after seven days Sara his son's wife and all the family arrived safe, and the cattle, and the camels, and an abundance of money of his wife's: and that money also which he had received of Gabelus,19And he told his parents all the benefits of God, which he had done to him by the man that conducted him.20And Achior and Nabath the kinsmen of Tobias came, rejoicing for Tobias, and congratulating with him for all the good things that God had done for him.21And for seven days they feasted and rejoiced all with great joy.

Prophecy

Tobit 12:1 - 14:15

1Then Tobias called to him his son and said to him: What can we give to this holy man, that is come with thee?2Tobias answering, said to his father: Father, what wages shall we give him? or what can be worthy of his benefits?3He conducted me and brought me safe again, he received the money of Gabelus, he caused me to have my wife, and he chased from her the evil spirit, he gave joy to her parents, myself he delivered from being devoured by the fish, thee also he hath made to see the light of heaven, and we are filled with all good things through him. What can we give him sufficient for these things?4But I beseech thee, my father, to desire him, that he would vouchsafe to accept of one half of all things that have been brought.5So the father and the son calling him, took him aside: and began to desire him that he would vouchsafe to accept of half of all things that they had brought,6Then he said to them secretly, Bless ye the God of heaven, give glory to him in the sight of all that live, because he hath shewn his mercy to you.7For it is good to hide the secret of a king: but honourable to reveal and confess the works of God.8Prayer is good with fasting and alms more than to lay up treasures of gold.9For alms delivereth from death, and the same is that which purgeth away sins, and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting.10But they that commit sin and iniquity, are enemies to their own soul.11I discover then the truth unto you, and I will not hide the secret from you.12When thou didst pray with tears, and didst bury the dead, and didst leave thy dinner, and hide the dead by day in thy house, and bury them by night, I offered thy prayer to the Lord.13And because thou wast acceptable to God, it was necessary that temptation should prove thee.14And now the Lord hath sent me to heal thee, and to deliver Sara thy son's wife from the devil.15For I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord.16And when they had heard these things, they were troubled, and being seized with fear they fell upon the ground on their face.17And the angel said to them: Peace be to you, fear not.18For when I was with you, I was there by the will of God: bless ye him, and sing praises to him.19I seemed indeed to eat and to drink with you but I use an invisible meat and drink, which cannot be seen by men.20It is time therefore that I return to him that sent me: but bless ye God, and publish all his wonderful works.21And when he had said these things, he was taken from their sight, and they could see him no more.22Then they lying prostrate for three hours upon their face, blessed God, and rising up, they told all his wonderful works.1And Tobias the elder opening his mouth, blessed the Lord, and said: Thou art great O Lord, for ever, and thy kingdom is unto all ages.2For thou scourgest, and thou savest: thou leadest down to hell, and bringest up again: and there is none that can escape thy hand.3Give glory to the Lord, ye children of Israel, and praise him in the sight of the Gentiles:4Because he hath therefore scattered you among the Gentiles, who know not him, that you may declare his wonderful works, and make them know that there is no other almighty God besides him.5He hath chastised us for our iniquities: and he will save us for his own mercy.6See then what he hath done with us, and with fear and trembling give ye glory to him: and extol the eternal King of worlds in your works.7As for me, I will praise him in the land of my captivity: because he hath shewn his majesty toward a sinful nation,8Be converted therefore, ye sinners, and do justice before God, believing that he will shew his mercy to you.9And I and my soul will rejoice in him.10Bless ye the Lord, all his elect, keep days of joy, and give glory to him.11Jerusalem, city of God, the Lord hath chastised thee for the works of thy hands.12Give glory to the Lord for thy good things, and bless the God eternal that he may rebuild his tabernacle in thee, and may call back all the captives to thee, and thou mayst rejoice for ever and ever.13Thou shalt shine with a glorious light: and all the ends of the earth shall worship thee,14Nations from afar shall come to thee: and shall bring gifts, and shall adore the Lord in thee, and shall esteem thy land as holy.15For they shall call upon the great name in thee,16They shall be cursed that shall despise thee: and they shall be condemned that shall blaspheme thee: and blessed shall they be that shall build thee up,17But thou shalt rejoice in thy children, because they shall all be blessed, and shall be gathered together to the Lord.18Blessed are all they that love thee, and that rejoice in thy peace,19My soul, bless thou the Lord, because the Lord our God hath delivered Jerusalem his city from all her troubles.20Happy shall I be if there shall remain of my seed, to see the glory of Jerusalem.21The gates of Jerusalem shall be built of sapphire, and of emerald, and all the walls thereof round about of precious stones.22All its streets shall be paved with white and clean stones: and Alleluia shall be sung in its streets,23Blessed be the Lord, who hath exalted it, and may he reign over it for ever and ever, Amen.1And the words of Tobias were ended. And after Tobias was restored to his sight, he lived two and forty years, and saw the children of his grandchildren.2And after he had lived a hundred and two years, he was buried honourably in Ninive.3For he was six and fifty years old when he lost the sight of his eyes, and sixty when he recovered it again.4And the rest of his life was in joy, and with great increase of the fear of God he departed in peace.5And at the hour of his death he called unto him his son Tobias and his children, seven young men, his grandsons, and said to them:6The destruction of Ninive is at hand: for the word of the Lord must be fulfilled: and our brethren, that are scattered abroad from the land of Israel, shall return to it.7And all the land thereof that is desert shall be filled with people, and the house of God which is burnt in it, shall again be rebuilt: and all that fear God shall return thither.8And the Gentiles shall leave their idols, and shall come into Jerusalem, and shall dwell in it.9And all the kings of the earth shall rejoice in it, adoring the King of Israel.10Hearken therefore, my children, to your father: serve the Lord in truth, and seek to do the things that please him:11And command your children that they do justice and almsdeeds, and that they be mindful of God, and bless him at all times in truth, and with all their power.12And now, children, hear me, and do not stay here: but as soon as you shall bury your mother by me in one sepulchre, without delay direct your steps to depart hence:13For I see that its iniquity will bring it to destruction.14And it came to pass that after the death of his mother, Tobias departed out of Ninive with his wife, and children, and children's children, and returned to his father and mother in law.15And he found them in health in a good old age: and he took care of them, and he closed their eyes: and all the inheritance of Raguel's house came to him

Psalm

Psalms 51:7-8

7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.8Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.

Gospel

John 3:14-21

14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,15that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.18He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.19And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.20For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.21But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.

Liturgy

Pauline

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

1Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea,2all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,3all ate the same spiritual food,4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.5But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.6Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.7And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.8Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell;9nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;10nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.11Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.12Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.13No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Catholic

1 John 2:12-17

12I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.13I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father.14I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.17And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Acts

Acts 8:9-17

9But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great,10to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.11And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.12But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.13Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.14Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,15who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.16For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.17Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Psalm

Psalms 34:5, 4

5They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed.
4I sought the Lord, and He heard me

Gospel

John 3:1-13

1There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.2This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.3Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.4Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?5Jesus answered, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.7Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born again.'8The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.9Nicodemus answered and said to Him, How can these things be?10Jesus answered and said to him, Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?11Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.12If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?13No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.