FIRST READING: Nehemiah 8: 1 - 12
1
And the seventh month came: and the children of Israel were in their
cities. And all the people were gathered together as one man to the
street which is before the water gate, and they spoke to Esdras the
scribe, to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had
commanded to Israel.
2
Then Esdras the priest brought the law before the multitude of men
and women, and all those that could understand, in the first day of
the seventh month.
3
And he read it plainly in the street that was before the water gate,
from the morning until midday, before the men, and the women, and all
those that could understand: and the ears of all the people were
attentive to the book.
4
And Esdras the scribe stood upon a step of wood, which he had made to
speak upon, and there stood by him Mathathias, and Semeia, and Ania,
and Uria, and Helcia, and Maasia, on his right hand: and on the left,
Phadaia, Misael, and Melchia, and Hasum, and Hasbadana, Zacharia and
Mosollam.
5
And Esdras opened the book before all the people: for he was above
all the people: and when he had opened it, all the people stood.
6
And Esdras blessed the Lord the great God: and all the people
answered, Amen, amen: lifting up their hands: and they bowed down,
and adored God with their faces to the ground.
7
Now Josue, and Bani, and Serebia, Jamin, Accub, Sephtai, Odia,
Maasia, Celtia, Azarias, Jozabed, Hanan, Phalaia, the Levites, made
silence among the people to hear the law: and the people stood in
their place.
8
And they read in the book of the law of God distinctly and plainly to
be understood: and they understood when it was read.
9
And Nehemias (he is Athersatha) and Esdras the priest and scribe, and
the Levites who interpreted to all the people, said: This is a holy
day to the Lord our God: do not mourn, nor weep: for all the people
wept, when they heard the words of the law.
10
And he said to them: Go, eat fat meats, and drink sweet wine, and
send portions to them that have not prepared for themselves: because
it is the holy day of the Lord, and be not sad: for the joy of the
Lord is our strength.
11
And the Levites stilled all the people, saying: Hold your peace, for
the day is holy, and be not sorrowful.
12
So all the people went to eat and drink, and to send portions, and to
make great mirth: because they understood the words that he had
taught them.
8
The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls: the testimony of
the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones.
9
The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts: the commandment
of the Lord is lightsome, enlightening the eyes.
10
The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for ever and ever: the
judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.
11
More to be desired than gold and many precious stones: and sweeter
than honey and the honeycomb.
1
And after these things the Lord appointed also other seventy-two: and
he sent them two and two before his face into every city and place
whither he himself was to come.
2
And he said to them: The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers
are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send
labourers into his harvest.
3
Go: Behold I send you as lambs among wolves.
4
Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes; and salute no man by the
way.
5
Into whatsoever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house.
6
And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him; but
if not, it shall return to you.
7
And in the same house, remain, eating and drinking such things as
they have: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Remove not from
house to house.
8
And into what city soever you enter, and they receive you, eat such
things as are set before you.
9
And heal the sick that are therein, and say to them: The kingdom of
God is come nigh unto you.
10
But into whatsoever city you enter, and they receive you not, going
forth into the streets thereof, say:
11
Even the very dust of your city that cleaveth to us, we wipe off
against you. Yet know this, that the kingdom of God is at hand.
12
I say to you, it shall be more tolerable at that day for Sodom, than
for that city.
