Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “Hear another parable.

Thus says the Lord:/ Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,/ who seeks his strength in flesh,/ whose heart turns away from the Lord./ He is like a barren bush in the desert/ that enjoys no change of season,/ But stands in a lava waste,/ a salt and empty earth./ Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,/ whose hope is the Lord./ He is like a tree planted beside the waters/ that stretches out its roots to the stream:/ It fears not the heat when it comes,/ its leaves stay green;/ In the year of drought it shows no distress,/ but still bears fruit./ More tortuous than all else is the human heart,/ beyond remedy; who can understand it?/ I, the Lord, alone probe the mind/ and test the heart,/ To reward everyone according to his ways,/ according to the merit of his deeds.

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day.

The people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem said, “Come, let us contrive a plot against Jeremiah.

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you and observe your commandments!

Beloved: Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.

The Lord said to Abram: “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.