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| "Suffer the Little Children to Come unto Me" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST
READING: Ezekiel
18: 1 - 10, 13, 30 - 32
1
The word of the LORD came to me again:
2
"What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land
of Israel, `The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's
teeth are set on edge'?
3
As I live, says the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by
you in Israel.
4
Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the
soul of the son is mine: the soul that sins shall die.
5
"If a man is righteous and does what is lawful and right --
6
if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the
idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor's wife or
approach a woman in her time of impurity,
7
does not oppress any one, but restores to the debtor his pledge,
commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the
naked with a garment,
8
does not lend at interest or take any increase, withholds his hand
from iniquity, executes true justice between man and man,
9
walks in my statutes, and is careful to observe my ordinances -- he
is righteous, he shall surely live, says the Lord GOD.
10
"If he begets a son who is a robber, a shedder of blood,
13
lends at interest, and takes increase; shall he then live? He shall
not live. He has done all these abominable things; he shall surely
die; his blood shall be upon himself.
30
"Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one
according to his ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all
your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin.
31
Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed
against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will
you die, O house of Israel?
32
For I have no pleasure in the death of any one, says the Lord GOD; so
turn, and live."
PSALM:
Psalms 51: 12
- 15, 18 - 19
12
Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing
spirit.
13
Then I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners will return to
thee.
14
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation, and
my tongue will sing aloud of thy deliverance.
15
O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
18
Do good to Zion in thy good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,
19
then wilt thou delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and
whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on thy altar.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 19:
13 - 15
13
Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them
and pray. The disciples rebuked the people;
14
but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder
them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."
15
And he laid his hands on them and went away.
