Daily Readings

1. And Moses summoned all of Israel, and he said to them: “Listen, O Israel, to the ceremonies and judgments, which I am speaking to your ears on this day. Learn them, and fulfill them in deed.5. I was the mediator, for I was in the middle between the Lord and you, at that time, to announce his words to you. For you were afraid of the fire, and so you did not ascend to the mountain. And he said:6. ‘I am the Lord your God, who led you away from the land of Egypt, from the house of servitude.7. You shall not have strange gods in my sight.8. You shall not make for yourself a graven image, nor the likeness of anything, which is in heaven above, or on earth below, or which abides in the waters under the earth.9. You shall not adore and you shall not worship these things. For I am the Lord your God, a jealous God, repaying the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons to the third and fourth generation to those who hate me,

12. Alleluia. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem. Praise your God, O Zion.13. For he has reinforced the bars of your gates. He has blessed your sons within you.15. He sends forth his eloquence to the earth. His word runs swiftly.16. He provides snow like wool. He strews clouds like ashes.19. He announces his word to Jacob, his justices and his judgments to Israel.20. He has not done so much for every nation, and he has not made his judgments manifest to them.

17. Do not think that I have come to loosen the law or the prophets. I have not come to loosen, but to fulfill.18. Amen I say to you, certainly, until heaven and earth pass away, not one iota, not one dot shall pass away from the law, until all is done.19. Therefore, whoever will have loosened one of the least of these commandments, and have taught men so, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever will have done and taught these, such a one shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

1. Naaman, the leader of the military of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man with his lord. For through him the Lord gave salvation to Syria. And he was a strong and rich man, but a leper.2. Now robbers had gone out from Syria, and they had led away captive, from the land of Israel, a little girl. And she was in the service of the wife of Naaman.3. And she said to her lady: “I wish that my lord had been with the prophet who is in Samaria. Certainly, he would have cured him of the leprosy that he has.”4. And so, Naaman entered to his lord, and he reported to him, saying: “The girl from the land of Israel spoke in such a manner.”5. And the king of Syria said to him, “Go, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” And when he had set out, he had taken with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand gold coins, and ten changes of fine clothing.6. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, in these words: “When you will receive this letter, know that I have sent to you my servant, Naaman, so that you may heal him of his leprosy.”7. And when the king of Israel had read the letter, he tore his garments, and he said: “Am I God, so that I could take or give life, or so that this man would send to me to cure a man from his leprosy? Take notice and see that he is seeking occasions against me.”8. And when Elisha, the man of God, had heard this, specifically, that the king of Israel had torn his garments, he sent to him, saying: “Why have you torn your garments? Let him come to me, and let him know that there is a prophet in Israel.”9. Therefore, Naaman arrived with his horses and chariots, and he stood at the door of the house of Elisha.10. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go, and wash seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will receive health, and you will be clean.”11. And becoming angry, Naaman went away, saying: “I thought that he would have come out to me, and, standing, would have invoked the name of the Lord, his God, and that he would have touched the place of the leprosy with his hand, and so have healed me.12. Are not the Abana and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel, so that I might wash in them and be cleansed?” But then, after he had turned himself away and was leaving with indignation,13. his servants approached him, and they said to him: “If the prophet had told you, father, to do something great, certainly you ought to have done it. How much more so, now that he has said to you: ‘Wash, and you will be clean?’ ”14. So he descended and washed in the Jordan seven times, in accord with the word of the man of God. And his flesh was restored, like the flesh of a little child. And he was made clean.15. And returning to the man of God, with his entire retinue, he arrived, and stood before him, and he said: “Truly, I know there is no other God, in all the earth, except in Israel.

42:2 As the deer longs for fountains of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.42:3 My soul has thirsted for the strong living God. When will I draw close and appear before the face of God?43:3 Send forth your light and your truth. They have guided me and led me, to your holy mountain and into your tabernacles.43:4 And I will enter, up to the altar of God, to God who enlivens my youthfulness. To you, O God, my God, I will confess upon a stringed instrument.

24. Then he said: “Amen I say to you, that no prophet is accepted in his own country.25. In truth, I say to you, there were many widows in the days of Elijah in Israel, when the heavens were closed for three years and six months, when a great famine had occurred throughout the entire land.26. And to none of these was Elijah sent, except to Zarephath of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.27. And there were many lepers in Israel under the prophet Elisha. And none of these was cleansed, except Naaman the Syrian.”28. And all those in the synagogue, upon hearing these things, were filled with anger.29. And they rose up and drove him beyond the city. And they brought him all the way to the edge of the mount, upon which their city had been built, so that they might thrown him down violently.30. But passing through their midst, he went away.

1. Now Moses was pasturing the sheep of his father-in-law Jethro, a priest of Midian. And when he had driven the flock into the interior of the desert, he came to the mountain of God, Horeb.2. And the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. And he saw that the bush was burning and was not burnt.3. Therefore, Moses said, “I will go and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.”4. Then the Lord, discerning that he proceeded on to see it, called to him from the midst of the bush, and he said, “Moses, Moses.” And he responded, “Here I am.”5. And he said: “Lest you should approach here, remove the shoes from your feet. For the place on which you stand is holy ground.”6. And he said, “I am the God of your father: the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his face, for he dared not look directly at God.7. And the Lord said to him: “I have seen the affliction of my people in Egypt, and I have heard their outcry because of the harshness of those who are over the works.8. And knowing their sorrow, I have descended in order to free them from the hands of the Egyptians, and to lead them from that land into a good and spacious land, into a land which flows with milk and honey,13. Moses said to God: “Behold, I will go to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ If they say to me, ‘What is his name?’ What shall I say to them?”14. God said to Moses, “I AM WHO AM.” He said: “Thus shall you say to the sons of Israel: ‘HE WHO IS has sent me to you.’ ”15. And God said again to Moses: “Thus shall you say to the sons of Israel: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is the name for me in eternity, and this is my memorial from generation to generation.

1. To David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and bless his holy name, all that is within me.2. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his recompenses.3. He forgives all your iniquities. He heals all your infirmities.4. He redeems your life from destruction. He crowns you with mercy and compassion.6. The Lord accomplishes mercies, and his judgment is for all who patiently endure injuries.7. He has made his ways known to Moses, his will to the sons of Israel.8. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, patient and full of mercy.11. For according to the height of the heavens above the earth, so has he reinforced his mercy toward those who fear him.

1. For I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and they all went across the sea.2. And in Moses, they all were baptized, in the cloud and in the sea.3. And they all ate of the same spiritual food.4. And they all drank of the same spiritual drink. And so, they all were drinking of the spiritual rock seeking to obtain them; and that rock was Christ.5. But with most of them, God was not well-pleased. For they were struck down in the desert.6. Now these things were done as an example for us, so that we might not desire evil things, just as they desired.10. And you should not murmur, as some of them murmured, and so they perished by the destroyer.11. Now all of these things happened to them as an example, and so they have been written for our correction, because the final age has fallen upon us.12. And so, whosoever considers himself to be standing, let him be careful not to fall.

1. And there were present, at that very time, some who were reporting about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate mixed with their sacrifices.2. And responding, he said to them: “Do you think that these Galileans must have sinned more than all other Galileans, because they suffered so much?3. No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you will all perish similarly.4. And those eighteen upon whom the tower of Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they also were greater transgressors than all the men living in Jerusalem?5. No, I tell you. But if you do not repent, you will all perish similarly.”6. And he also told this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree, which was planted in his vineyard. And he came seeking fruit on it, but found none.7. Then he said to the cultivator of the vineyard: ‘Behold, for these three years I came seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I have found none. Therefore, cut it down. For why should it even occupy the land?’8. But in response, he said to him: ‘Lord, let it be for this year also, during which time I will dig around it and add fertilizer.9. And, indeed, it should bear fruit. But if not, in the future, you shall cut it down.’ ”

14. With your rod, pasture your people, the flock of your inheritance, living alone in the narrow forest, in the midst of Carmel. They will graze in Bashan and Gilead, as in the ancient days.15. As in the days of your departure from the land of Egypt, I will reveal miracles to him.18. What God is like you, who takes away iniquity and passes over the sin of the remnant of your inheritance? No longer will he send forth his fury, because he is willing to be merciful.19. He will turn back and have mercy on us. He will put away our iniquities, and he will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.20. You will give the truth to Jacob, mercy to Abraham, which you swore to our fathers from the ancient days.

1. To David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and bless his holy name, all that is within me.2. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his recompenses.3. He forgives all your iniquities. He heals all your infirmities.4. He redeems your life from destruction. He crowns you with mercy and compassion.9. He will not be angry forever, and he will not threaten for eternity.10. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, and he has not repaid us according to our iniquities.11. For according to the height of the heavens above the earth, so has he reinforced his mercy toward those who fear him.12. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our iniquities from us.

1. Now tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to him, so that they might listen to him.2. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This one accepts sinners and eats with them.”3. And he told this parable to them, saying:11. “A certain man had two sons.12. And the younger of them said to the father, ‘Father, give me the portion of your estate which would go to me.’ And he divided the estate between them.13. And after not many days, the younger son, gathering it all together, set out on a long journey to a distant region. And there, he dissipated his substance, living in luxury.14. And after he had consumed it all, a great famine occurred in that region, and he began to be in need.15. And he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that region. And he sent him to his farm, in order to feed the swine.16. And he wanted to fill his belly with the scraps that the swine ate. But no one would give it to him.17. And returning to his senses, he said: ‘How many hired hands in my father’s house have abundant bread, while I perish here in famine!18. I shall rise up and go to my father, and I will say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.19. I am not worthy to be called your son. Make me one of your hired hands.’20. And rising up, he went to his father. But while he was still at a distance, his father saw him, and he was moved with compassion, and running to him, he fell upon his neck and kissed him.21. And the son said to him: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. Now I am not worthy to be called your son.’22. But the father said to his servants: ‘Quickly! Bring out the best robe, and clothe him with it. And put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet.23. And bring the fatted calf here, and kill it. And let us eat and hold a feast.24. For this son of mine was dead, and has revived; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to feast.25. But his elder son was in the field. And when he returned and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.26. And he called one of the servants, and he questioned him as to what these things meant.27. And he said to him: ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safely.’28. Then he became indignant, and he was unwilling to enter. Therefore, his father, going out, began to plead with him.29. And in response, he said to his father: ‘Behold, I have been serving you for so many years. And I have never transgressed your commandment. And yet, you have never given me even a young goat, so that I might feast with my friends.30. Yet after this son of yours returned, who has devoured his substance with loose women, you have killed the fatted calf for him.’31. But he said to him: ‘Son, you are with me always, and all that I have is yours.32. But it was necessary to feast and to rejoice. For this brother of yours was dead, and has revived; he was lost, and is found.’ ”

3. Now Israel loved Joseph above all his sons, because he had conceived him in his old age. And he made him a tunic, woven of many colors.4. Then his brothers, seeing that he was loved by his father more than all his other sons, hated him, and they were not able to say anything peacefully to him.12. And while his brothers were lodging at Shechem, pasturing their father’s flocks,13a. Israel said to him: “Your brothers are pasturing the sheep at Shechem. Come, I will send you to them.”17b.Therefore, Joseph continued on after his brothers, and he found them at Dothan.18. And, when they had seen him from afar, before he approached them, they decided to kill him.19. And they said one to another: “Behold, the dreamer approaches.20. Come, let us kill him and cast him into the old cistern. And let us say: ‘an evil wild beast has devoured him.’ And then it will become apparent what his dreams will do for him.”21. But Reuben, on hearing this, strove to free him from their hands, and he said:22. “Do not take away his life, nor shed blood. But throw him into this cistern, which is in the wilderness, and so keep your hands harmless.” But he said this, wanting to rescue him from their hands, so as to return him to his father.23. And so, as soon as he came to his brothers, they very quickly stripped him of his tunic, which was ankle-length and woven of many colors,24. and they cast him into an old cistern, which held no water.25. And sitting down to eat bread, they saw some Ishmaelites, travelers coming from Gilead, with their camels, carrying spices, and resin, and oil of myrrh into Egypt.26. Therefore, Judah said to his brothers: “What will it profit us, if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?27. It is better that he be sold to the Ishmaelites, and then our hands will not be defiled. For he is our brother and our flesh.” His brothers agreed to his words.28a. And when the Midianite merchants were passing by, they drew him from the cistern, and they sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.

16. And he called a famine upon the land, and he crushed every foundation of the bread.17. He sent a man before them: Joseph, who had been sold as a slave.18. They humbled his feet in shackles; the iron pierced his soul,19. until his word arrived. The eloquence of the Lord inflamed him.20. The king sent and released him; he was the ruler of the people, and he dismissed him.21. He established him as master of his house and ruler of all his possessions,

33. Listen to another parable. There was a man, the father of a family, who planted a vineyard, and surrounded it with a hedge, and dug a press in it, and built a tower. And he loaned it out to farmers, and he set out to sojourn abroad.34. Then, when the time of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the farmers, so that they might receive its fruits.35. And the farmers apprehended his servants; they struck one, and killed another, and stoned yet another.36. Again, he sent other servants, more than before; and they treated them similarly.37. Then, at the very end, he sent his son to them, saying: ‘They will revere my son.’38. But the farmers, seeing the son, said among themselves: ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and then we will have his inheritance.’39. And apprehending him, they cast him outside the vineyard, and they killed him.40. Therefore, when the lord of the vineyard arrives, what will he do to those farmers?”41. They said to him, “He will bring those evil men to an evil end, and he will loan out his vineyard to other farmers, who shall repay to him the fruit in its time.”42. Jesus said to them: “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders have rejected has become the cornerstone. By the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?’43. Therefore, I say to you, that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and it shall be given to a people who shall produce its fruits.45. And when the leaders of the priests, and the Pharisees had heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them.46. And though they sought to take hold of him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.

5. Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is a man who trusts in man, and who establishes what is flesh as his right arm, and whose heart withdraws from the Lord.6. For he will be like a saltcedar tree in the desert. And he will not perceive it, when what is good has arrived. Instead, he will live in dryness, in a desert, in a land of salt, which is uninhabitable.7. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, for the Lord will be his confidence.8. And he will be like a tree planted beside waters, which sends out its roots to moist soil. And it will not fear when the heat arrives. And its leaves will be green. And in the time of drought, it will not be anxious, nor will it cease at any time to bear fruit.9. The heart is depraved above all things, and it is unsearchable, who can know it?10. I am the Lord, who examines the heart and tests the temperament, who gives to each one according to his way and according to the fruit of his own decisions.

1. Blessed is the man who has not followed the counsel of the impious, and has not remained in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the chair of pestilence.2. But his will is with the law of the Lord, and he will meditate on his law, day and night.3. And he will be like a tree that has been planted beside running waters, which will provide its fruit in its time, and its leaf will not fall away, and all things whatsoever that he does will prosper.4. Not so the impious, not so. For they are like the dust that the wind casts along the face of the earth.6. For the Lord knows the way of the just. And the path of the impious will pass away.

19. A certain man was wealthy, and he was clothed in purple and in fine linen. And he feasted splendidly every day.20. And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who lay at his gate, covered with sores,21. wanting to be filled with the crumbs which were falling from the wealthy man’s table. But no one gave it to him. And even the dogs came and licked his sores.22. Then it happened that the beggar died, and he was carried by the Angels into the bosom of Abraham. Now the wealthy man also died, and he was entombed in Hell.23. Then lifting up his eyes, while he was in torments, he saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.24. And crying out, he said: ‘Father Abraham, take pity on me and send Lazarus, so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water to refresh my tongue. For I am tortured in this fire.’25. And Abraham said to him: ‘Son, recall that you received good things in your life, and in comparison, Lazarus received bad things. But now he is consoled, and truly you are tormented.26. And besides all this, between us and you a great chaos has been established, so that those who might want to cross from here to you are not able, nor can someone cross from there to here.’27. And he said: ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers,28. so that he may testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torments.’29. And Abraham said to him: ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’30. So he said: ‘No, father Abraham. But if someone were to go to them from the dead, they would repent.’31. But he said to him: ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe even if someone has resurrected from the dead.’

18. And they said: “Come, and let us devise a plan against Jeremiah. For the law will not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor a sermon from the prophet. Come, and let us strike him with the tongue, and let us pay no attention to any of his words.”19. Attend to me, O Lord, and hear the voice of my adversaries.20. Should evil be rendered for good? For they have dug a pit for my soul! Remember that I have stood in your sight, so as to speak on their behalf for good, and to avert your indignation from them.