With their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water?

Brothers and sisters: None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself.

Wrath and anger are hateful things,/ yet the sinner hugs them tight./ The vengeful will suffer the Lord’s vengeance,/ for he remembers their sins in detail./ Forgive your neighbor’s injustice;/ then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven./ Could anyone nourish anger against another/ and expect healing from the Lord?/ Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself,/ can he seek pardon for his own sins?/ If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath,/ who will ­forgive his sins?/ Remember your last days, set enmity aside;/ remember death and decay, and cease from sin!/ Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor;/ remember the Most High’s covenant, and ­overlook faults.

My beloved ones, avoid idolatry.

Brothers and sisters: If I preach the Gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it!

Brothers and sisters: Knowledge inflates with pride, but love builds up.

Brothers and sisters: In regard to virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.

Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

The Lord says:/ You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah,/ too small to be among the clans of Judah,/ From you shall come forth for me/ one who is to be ruler in Israel;/ Whose origin is from of old,/ from ancient times./ (Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time/ when she who is to give birth has borne,/ And the rest of his brethren shall return/ to the children of Israel.)/ He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock/ by the strength of the Lord,/ in the majestic name of the Lord, his God;/ And they shall remain, for now his greatness/ shall reach to the ends of the earth;/ he shall be peace.

Brothers and sisters: It is widely reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of a kind not found even among pagans—a man living with his father’s wife.