FIRST
READING:
Proverbs 31:
10-13,
19-20, 30-31
10
Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is
the price of her.
11
The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need
of spoils.
12
She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13
She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her
hands.
19
She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have
taken hold of the spindle.
20
She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to
the poor.
30
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the
Lord, she shall be praised.
31
Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in
the gates.
PSALM:
Psalms 128:
1-5
1
Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in his ways.
2
For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it
shall be well with thee.
3
Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house.
4
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.
5
May the Lord bless thee out of Zion: and mayest thou see the good
things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
SECOND
READING:
1 Thessalonians
5: 1-6
1
But of the times and moments, brethren, you need not, that we should
write to you;
2
For yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall so
come, as a thief in the night.
3
For when they shall say, peace and security; then shall sudden
destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child,
and they shall not escape.
4
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake
you as a thief.
5
For all you are the children of light, and children of the day: we
are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6
Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do; but let us watch, and be
sober.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 25:
14-30 OR
25:
14-15, 19-21
14
For even as a man going into a far country, called his servants, and
delivered to them his goods;
15
And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another
one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he
took his journey.
16
And he that had received the five talents, went his way, and traded
with the same, and gained other five.
17
And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two.
18
But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the
earth, and hid his lord's money.
19
But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned
with them.
20
And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five
talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold
I have gained other five over and above.
21
His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because
thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over
many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22
And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord,
thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have gained other two.
23
His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because
thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over
many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24
But he that had received the one talent, came and said: Lord, I know
that thou art a hard man; thou reapest where thou hast not sown, and
gatherest where thou hast not strewed.
25
And being afraid I went and hid thy talent in the earth: behold here
thou hast that which is thine.
26
And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and slothful servant,
thou knewest that I reap where I sow not, and gather where I have not
strewed:
27
Thou oughtest therefore to have committed my money to the bankers,
and at my coming I should have received my own with usury.
28
Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him that
hath ten talents.
29
For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but
from him that hath not, that also which he seemeth to have shall be
taken away.
30
And the unprofitable servant cast ye out into the exterior darkness.
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
OR
14
For even as a man going into a far country, called his servants, and
delivered to them his goods;
15
And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another
one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he
took his journey.
19
But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned
with them.
20
And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five
talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold
I have gained other five over and above.
21
His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because
thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over
many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
