A reading from
the Book of Wisdom 6:1-11
Hear, O kings, and understand;/ learn, you magistrates of the earth’s expanse!/ Hearken, you who are in power over the multitude/ and lord it over throngs of peoples!/ Because authority was given you by the Lord/ and sovereignty by the Most High,/ who shall probe your works and scrutinize your counsels./ Because, though you were ministers of his kingdom, you judged not rightly,/ and did not keep the law,/ nor walk according to the will of God,/ Terribly and swiftly shall he come against you,/ because judgment is stern for the exalted—/ For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy/ but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test./ For the Lord of all shows no partiality,/ nor does he fear greatness,/ Because he himself made the great as well as the small,/ and he provides for all alike;/ but for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends./ To you, therefore, O princes, are my words addressed/ that you may learn wisdom and that you may not sin./ For those who keep the holy precepts hallowed shall be found holy,/ and those learned in them will have ready a response./ Desire therefore my words;/ long for them and you shall be instructed.
The word of the Lord.
