Sirach 51:12-20
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition
12 for you saved me from destruction
and rescued me in time of trouble.
For this reason I thank you and praise you,
and I bless the name of the Lord.
Hebrew adds:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
Give thanks to the God of praises,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
Give thanks to the guardian of Israel,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
Give thanks to him who formed all things,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
Give thanks to the redeemer of Israel,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
Give thanks to him who gathers the dispersed of Israel,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
Give thanks to him who rebuilt his city and his sanctuary,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
Give thanks to him who makes a horn to sprout for the house of David,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
Give thanks to him who has chosen the sons of Zadok to be priests,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
Give thanks to the shield of Abraham,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
Give thanks to the rock of Isaac,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
Give thanks to the mighty one of Jacob,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
Give thanks to him who has chosen Zion,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
Give thanks to the King of the kings of kings,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his loyal ones.
For the children of Israel, the people close to him.
Praise the Lord!
Autobiographical Poem on Wisdom
13 While I was still young, before I went on my travels,
I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
14 Before the temple I asked for her,
and I will search for her until the end.
15 From the first blossom to the ripening grape
my heart delighted in her;
my foot walked on the straight path;
from my youth I followed her steps.
16 I inclined my ear a little and received her,
and I found for myself much instruction.
17 I made progress in her;
to him who gives wisdom I will give glory.
18 For I resolved to live according to wisdom,[a]
and I was zealous for the good,
and I shall never be disappointed.
19 My soul grappled with wisdom,[b]
and in my conduct I was strict;[c]
I spread out my hands to the heavens,
and lamented my ignorance of her.
20 I directed my soul to her,
and in purity I found her.
With her I gained understanding from the first;
therefore I will never be forsaken.
Footnotes
- Sirach 51:18 Gk her
- Sirach 51:19 Gk her
- Sirach 51:19 Meaning of Gk uncertain
Mark 11:27-33
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition
Jesus’ Authority Is Questioned
27 Again they came to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him 28 and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?’ 29 Jesus said to them, ‘I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me.’ 31 They argued with one another, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say, “Why then did you not believe him?” 32 But shall we say, “Of human origin”?’—they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’
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