Wednesday of the 2nd week of Easter

17Then the high priest and all those who were with him, that is, the heretical sect of the Sadducees, rose up and were filled with jealousy. 18And they laid hands on the Apostles, and they placed them in the common prison. 19But in the night, an Angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison and led them out, saying, 20“Go and stand in the temple, speaking to the people all these words of life.” 21And when they had heard this, they entered the temple at first light, and they were teaching. Then the high priest, and those who were with him, approached, and they called together the council and all the elders of the sons of Israel. And they sent to the prison to have them brought. 22But when the attendants had arrived, and, upon opening the prison, had not found them, they returned and reported to them, 23saying: “We found the prison certainly locked up with all diligence, and the guards standing before the door. But upon opening it, we found no one within.” 24Then, when the magistrate of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were uncertain about them, as to what should happen. 25But someone arrived and reported to them, “Behold, the men whom you placed in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.” 26Then the magistrate, with the attendants, went and brought them without force. For they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned.

2I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will be ever in my mouth.

3In the Lord, my soul will be praised. May the meek listen and rejoice.

4Magnify the Lord with me, and let us extol his name in itself.

5I sought the Lord, and he heeded me, and he carried me away from all my tribulations.

6Approach him and be enlightened, and your faces will not be confounded.

7This poor one cried out, and the Lord heeded him, and he saved him from all his tribulations.

8The Angel of the Lord will encamp around those who fear him, and he will rescue them.

9Taste and see that the Lord is sweet. Blessed is the man who hopes in him.

16For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that all who believe in him may not perish, but may have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world, in order to judge the world, but in order that the world may be saved through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not judged. But whoever does not believe is already judged, because he does not believe in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. 19And this is the judgment: that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness more than light. For their works were evil. 20For everyone who does evil hates the Light and does not go toward the Light, so that his works may not be corrected. 21But whoever acts in truth goes toward the Light, so that his works may be manifested, because they have been accomplished in God.”