A reading from
the Book of the Prophet Amos 5:14-15, 21-24
Seek good and not evil,/ that you may live;/ Then truly will the Lord, the God of hosts,/ be with you as you claim!/ Hate evil and love good,/ and let justice prevail at the gate;/ Then it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,/ will have pity on the remnant of Joseph.
I hate, I spurn your feasts, says the Lord,/ I take no pleasure in your solemnities;/ Your cereal offerings I will not accept,/ nor consider your stall-fed peace offerings./ Away with your noisy songs!/ I will not listen to the melodies of your harps./ But if you would offer me burnt offerings,/ then let justice surge like water,/ and goodness like an unfailing stream.
The word of the Lord.
