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| "The Prophecy of the Destruction of the Temple" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST READING: Malachi 3: 19 - 20
19
For behold the day shall come kindled as a furnace: and all the
proud, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble: and the day that
cometh shall set them on fire, saith the Lord of hosts, it shall not
leave them root, nor branch.
20
But unto you that fear my name, the Sun of justice shall arise, and
health in his wings: and you shall go forth, and shall leap like
calves of the herd.
5
Sing praise to the Lord on the harp, on the harp, and with the voice
of a psalm:
6
With long trumpets, and sound of comet. Make a joyful noise before
the Lord our king:
7
Let the sea be moved and the fulness thereof: the world and they that
dwell therein.
8
The rivers shall clap their hands, the mountains shall rejoice
together
9
At the presence of the Lord: because he cometh to judge the earth. He
shall judge the world with justice, and the people with equity.
7
For yourselves know how you ought to imitate us: for we were not
disorderly among you;
8
Neither did we eat any man's bread for nothing, but in labour and in
toil we worked night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of
you.
9
Not as if we had not power: but that we might give ourselves a
pattern unto you, to imitate us.
10
For also when we were with you, this we declared to you: that, if any
man will not work, neither let him eat.
11
For we have heard there are some among you who walk disorderly,
working not at all, but curiously meddling.
12
Now we charge them that are such, and beseech them by the Lord Jesus
Christ, that, working with silence, they would eat their own bread.
5
And some saying of the temple, that it was adorned with goodly stones
and gifts, he said:
6
These things which you see, the days will come in which there shall
not be left a stone upon a stone that shall not be thrown down.
7
And they asked him, saying: Master, when shall these things be? and
what shall be the sign when they shall begin to come to pass?
8
Who said: Take heed you be not seduced; for many will come in my
name, saying, I am he; and the time is at hand: go ye not therefore
after them.
9
And when you shall hear of wars and seditions, be not terrified:
these things must first come to pass; but the end is not yet
presently.
10
Then he said to them: Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom.
11
And there shall be great earthquakes in divers places, and
pestilences, and famines, and terrors from heaven; and there shall be
great signs.
12
But before all these things, they will lay their hands upon you, and
persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and into prisons,
dragging you before kings and governors, for my name's sake.
13
And it shall happen unto you for a testimony.
14
Lay it up therefore into your hearts, not to meditate before how you
shall answer:
15
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries
shall not be able to resist and gainsay.
16
And you shall be betrayed by your parents and brethren, and kinsmen
and friends; and some of you they will put to death.
17
And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake.
18
But a hair of your head shall not perish.
19
In your patience you shall possess your souls.
