In those days, in their thirst for water, the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “Why did you ever make us leave Egypt?

Shepherd your people with your staff,/ the flock of your inheritance,/ That dwells apart in a woodland,/ in the midst of Carmel./ Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,/ as in the days of old;/ As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt,/ show us wonderful signs.

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.