A reading from
the Book of the Prophet Daniel 3:25, 34-43
Azariah stood up in the fire and prayed aloud:
“For your name’s sake, O Lord, do not deliver us up forever,/ or make void your covenant./ Do not take away your mercy from us,/ for the sake of Abraham, your beloved,/ Isaac your servant, and Israel your holy one,/ To whom you promised to multiply their offspring/ like the stars of heaven,/ or the sand on the shore of the sea./ For we are reduced, O Lord, beyond any other nation,/ brought low everywhere in the world this day/ because of our sins./ We have in our day no prince, prophet, or leader,/ no burnt offering, sacrifice, oblation, or incense,/ no place to offer first fruits, to find favor with you./ But with contrite heart and humble spirit/ let us be received;/ As though it were burnt offerings of rams and bullocks,/ or thousands of fat lambs,/ So let our sacrifice be in your presence today/ as we follow you unreservedly;/ for those who trust in you cannot be put to shame./ And now we follow you with our whole heart,/ we fear you and we pray to you./ Do not let us be put to shame,/ but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy./ Deliver us by your wonders,/ and bring glory to your name, O Lord.”
The word of the Lord.
