Tuesday of the 5th week of Lent

4Then they set out from mount Hor, by the way that leads to the Red Sea, to circle around the land of Edom. And the people began to tire of their journey and hardships. 5And speaking against God and Moses, they said: “Why did you lead us away from Egypt, so as to die in the wilderness? Bread is lacking; there are no waters. Our soul is now nauseous over this very light food.” 6For this reason, the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, which wounded or killed many of them. 7And so they went to Moses, and they said: “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray, so that he may take away these serpents from us.” And Moses prayed for the people. 8And the Lord said to him: “Make a bronze serpent, and place it as a sign. Whoever, having been struck, gazes upon it, shall live.” 9Therefore, Moses made a bronze serpent, and he placed it as a sign. When those who had been struck gazed upon it, they were healed.

2O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my outcry reach you.

3Do not turn your face away from me. In whatever day that I am in trouble, incline your ear to me. In whatever day that I will call upon you, heed me quickly.

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16And the Gentiles will fear your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory.

17For the Lord has built up Zion, and he will be seen in his glory.

18He has noticed the prayer of the humble, and he has not despised their petition.

19Let these things be written in another generation, and the people who will be created will praise the Lord.

20For he has gazed from his high sanctuary. From heaven, the Lord has beheld the earth.

21So may he hear the groans of those in shackles, in order that he may release the sons of the slain.

21Therefore, Jesus again spoke to them: “I am going, and you shall seek me. And you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you are not able to go.” 22And so the Jews said, “Is he going to kill himself, for he said: ‘Where I am going, you are not able to go?’ ” 23And he said to them: “You are from below. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world. 24Therefore, I said to you, that you will die in your sins. For if you will not believe that I am, you will die in your sin.” 25And so they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them: “The Beginning, who is also speaking to you. 26I have much to say about you and to judge. But he who sent me is true. And what I have heard from him, this I speak within the world.” 27And they did not realize that he was calling God his Father. 28And so Jesus said to them: “When you will have lifted up the Son of man, then you shall realize that I am, and that I do nothing of myself, but just as the Father has taught me, so do I speak. 29And he who sent me is with me, and he has not abandoned me alone. For I always do what is pleasing to him.” 30As he was speaking these things, many believed in him.