Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,/ vanity of vanities!

Every word of God is tested;/ he is a shield to those who take refuge in him./ Add nothing to his words,/ lest he reprove you, and you will be exposed as a deceiver.

Like a stream is the king’s heart in the hand of the Lord;/ wherever it pleases him, he directs it.

Brothers and sisters: I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the ­unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Brothers and sisters: Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

Seek the Lord while he may be found,/ call him while he is near./ Let the scoundrel forsake his way,/ and the wicked his thoughts;/ let him turn to the Lord for mercy;/ to our God, who is generous in forgiving./ For my thoughts are not your thoughts,/ nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord./ As high as the heavens are above the earth,/ so high are my ways above your ways/ and my thoughts above your thoughts.

Brothers and sisters: Some­one may say, “How are the dead raised?

Brothers and sisters: If Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead?

I am reminding you, brothers and sisters, of the Gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand.

Brothers and sisters: Strive ­eagerly for the ­greatest spiritual gifts.