Lecturile zilei

Epistola

Sirach 44:16-27;45:3-20

În limba ta nu există nicio ediție în domeniul public a acestei cărți, așa că fragmentul este afișat în engleză.

Enoch pleased the Lord, and was translated, Being an example of repentance to all generations. Noah was found perfect and righteous; In the season of wrath he was taken in exchange for the world; Therefore was there left a remnant to the earth, When the flood came. Everlasting covenants were made with him, That all flesh should no more be blotted out by a flood. Abraham was a great father of a multitude of nations; And there was none found like him in glory; Who kept the law of the Most High, And was taken into covenant with him: In his flesh he established the covenant; And when he was proved, he was found faithful. Therefore he assured him by an oath, That the nations should be blessed in his seed; That he would multiply him as the dust of the earth, And exalt his seed as the stars, And cause them to inherit from sea to sea, And from the River to the utmost part of the earth. In Isaac also did he establish likewise, for Abraham his father’s sake, The blessing of all men, and the covenant: And he made it rest upon the head of Jacob; He acknowledged him in his blessings, And gave to him by inheritance, And divided his portions; Among twelve tribes did he part them. By his words he caused the wonders to cease; He glorified him in the sight of kings; He gave him commandment for his people, And showed him part of his glory. He sanctified him in his faithfulness and meekness; He chose him out of all flesh. He made him to hear his voice, And led him into the thick darkness, And gave him commandments face to face, Even the law of life and knowledge, That he might teach Jacob the covenant, And Israel his judgments. He exalted Aaron, a holy man like to him, Even his brother, of the tribe of Levi. He established for him an everlasting covenant, And gave him the priesthood of the people; He beautified him with comely ornaments, And girded him about with a robe of glory. He clothed him with the perfection of exultation; And strengthened him with apparel of honor, The linen breeches, the long robe, and the ephod. And he compassed him with pomegranates of gold, And with many bells round about, To send forth a sound as he went, To make a sound that might be heard in the temple, For a memorial to the children of his people; With a holy garment, with gold and blue and purple, the work of the embroiderer, With an oracle of judgement, even with the Urim and Thummim; With twisted scarlet, the work of the craftsman; With precious stones graven like a signet, in a setting of gold, the work of the jeweller, For a memorial engraved in writing, after the number of the tribes of Israel; With a crown of gold upon the mitre, having graven on it, as on a signet, HOLINESS, An ornament of honor, a work of might, The desires of the eyes, goodly and beautiful. Before him there never have been any such; No stranger put them on, but his sons only, and his offspring perpertually. His sacrifices shall be wholly consumed Every day twice continually. Moses consecrated him, And anointed him with holy oil: It was to him for an everlasting covenant, And to his seed, all the days of heaven, To minister to him, and to execute also the priest’s office, And bless his people in his name. He chose him out of all living To offer sacrifice to the Lord, Incense, and a sweet savor, for a memorial, To make reconciliation for your people. He gave to him in his commandments, Yes, authority in the covenants of judgements, To teach Jacob the testimonies, And to enlighten Israel in his law. Strangers gathered themselves together against him, And envied him in the wilderness, Even Dathan and Abiram with their company, And the congregation of Korah, with wrath and anger. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him; And in the wrath of his anger they were destroyed: He did wonders upon them, To consume them with flaming fire. And he added glory to Aaron, And gave him a heritage: He divided to him the first fruits of the increase; And first did he prepare bread in abundance:

Evanghelia

Matei 25:14-23

Atunci Împărăţia cerurilor se va asemăna cu un om, care, cînd era să plece într'o altă ţară, a chemat pe robii săi, şi le -a încredinţat avuţia sa. Unuia i -a dat cinci talanţi, altuia doi, şi altuia unul: fiecăruia după puterea lui; şi a plecat. Îndată, cel ce primise cei cinci talanţi, s'a dus, i -a pus în negoţ, şi a cîştigat cu ei alţi cinci talanţi. Tot aşa, cel ce primise cei doi talanţi, a cîştigat şi el alţi doi cu ei. Cel ce nu primise decît un talant, s'a dus de a făcut o groapă în pămînt şi a ascuns acolo banii stăpînului său. După multă vreme, stăpînul robilor acelora s'a întors şi le -a cerut socoteala. Cel ce primise cei cinci talanţi, a venit, a adus alţi cinci talanţi, şi a zis: ,Doamne, mi-ai încredinţat cinci talanţi; iată că am cîştigat cu ei alţi cinci talanţi.` Stăpînul său i -a zis: ,Bine, rob bun şi credincios; ai fost credincios în puţine lucruri, te voi pune peste multe lucruri; intră în bucuria stăpînului tău.` Cel ce primise cei doi talanţi, a venit şi el, şi a zis: ,Doamne, mi-ai încredinţat doi talanţi; iată că am cîştigat cu ei alţi doi talanţi.` Stăpînul său i -a zis: ,Bine, rob bun şi credincios; ai fost credincios în puţine lucruri, te voi pune peste multe lucruri; intră în bucuria stăpînului tău!`