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| "The Foolish Virgins" (top) and "The Wise Virgins" (bottom) -- by James Tissot |
FIRST
READING: 1
Thessalonians 4: 1 - 8
1
For the rest therefore, brethren, we pray and beseech you in the Lord
Jesus, that as you have received from us, how you ought to walk, and
to please God, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more.
2
For you know what precepts I have given to you by the Lord Jesus.
3
For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that you should
abstain from fornication;
4
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in
sanctification and honour:
5
Not in the passion of lust, like the Gentiles that know not God:
6
And that no man overreach, nor circumvent his brother in business:
because the Lord is the avenger of all these things, as we have told
you before, and have testified.
7
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification.
8
Therefore, he that despiseth these things, despiseth not man, but
God, who also hath given his holy Spirit in us.
PSALM:
Psalms 97:
1 - 2, 5 - 6, 10 - 12
1
The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice: let many islands be
glad.
2
Clouds and darkness are round about him: justice and judgment are the
establishment of his throne.
5
The mountains melted like wax, at the presence of the Lord: at the
presence of the Lord of all the earth.
6
The heavens declared his justice: and all people saw his glory.
10
You that love the Lord, hate evil: the Lord preserveth the souls of
his saints, he will deliver them out of the hand of the sinner.
11
Light is risen to the just, and joy to the right of heart.
12
Rejoice, ye just, in the Lord: and give praise to the remembrance of
his holiness.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 25:
1 - 13
1
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking
their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride.
2
And five of them were foolish, and five wise.
3
But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with
them:
4
But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps.
5
And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept.
6
And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh,
go ye forth to meet him.
7
Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
8
And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps
are gone out.
9
The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us
and for you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10
Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were
ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut.
11
But at last come also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to
us.
12
But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not.
13
Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.
