Saint Martin I, Pope and Martyr

23Being let go, they came to their own company and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, you are God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them;

25who by the mouth of your servant David, said,

‘Why do the nations rage,

and the peoples plot a vain thing?

26The kings of the earth take a stand,

and the rulers plot together,

against the Lord, and against his Christ.’

27“For truly, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, 28to do whatever your hand and your counsel foreordained to happen. 29Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.” 31When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

1Why do the nations rage,

and the peoples plot a vain thing?

2The kings of the earth take a stand,

and the rulers take counsel together,

against the LORD, and against his Anointed, saying,

3“Let’s break their bonds apart,

and cast their cords from us.”

4He who sits in the heavens will laugh.

The Lord will have them in derision.

5Then he will speak to them in his anger,

and terrify them in his wrath:

6“Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”

7I will tell of the decree:

The LORD said to me, “You are my son.

Today I have become your father.

8Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance,

the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.

9You shall break them with a rod of iron.

You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.” 3Jesus answered him, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and Spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Don’t marvel that I said to you, ‘You must all be born anew.’ 8The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”