Naaman, the army commander of the king of Aram, was highly esteemed and respected by his master, for through him the Lord had brought victory to Aram.
Brothers and sisters: Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.
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!
