Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons, for he was the child of his old age; and he had made him a long tunic.

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.

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

Hear the word of the Lord,/ princes of Sodom!/ Listen to the instruction of our God,/ people of Gomorrah!

“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.

Moses spoke to the people, saying: “This day the Lord, your God, commands you to observe these statutes and decrees.

Thus says the Lord God: If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the Lord.