Thursday of the 9th week of Ordinary Time

8Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the offspring of David, has risen again from the dead, according to my Gospel. 9I labor in this Gospel, even while chained like an evildoer. But the Word of God is not bound. 10I endure all things for this reason: for the sake of the elect, so that they, too, may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory. 11It is a faithful saying: that if we have died with him, we will also live with him. 12If we suffer, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us. 13If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful: he is not able to deny himself. 14Insist on these things, testifying before the Lord. Do not be contentious about words, for this is useful for nothing but the subversion of listeners. 15Be solicitous in the task of presenting yourself before God as a proven and unashamed worker who has handled the Word of Truth correctly.

4May all those who act unjustly over nothing be confounded. O Lord, demonstrate your ways to me, and teach me your paths.

5Direct me in your truth, and teach me. For you are God, my Savior, and I remain with you all day long.

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8The Lord is sweet and righteous. Because of this, he will grant a law to those who fall short in the way.

9He will direct the mild in judgment. He will teach the meek his ways.

10All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth, to those who yearn for his covenant and his testimonies.

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14The Lord is a firmament to those who fear him, and his covenant will be made manifest to them.

28And one of the scribes, who had heard them arguing, drew near to him. And seeing that he had answered them well, he questioned him as to which was the first commandment of all. 29And Jesus answered him: “For the first commandment of all is this: ‘Listen, O Israel. The Lord your God is one God. 30And you shall love the Lord your God from your whole heart, and from your whole soul, and from your whole mind, and from your whole strength. This is the first commandment.’ 31But the second is similar to it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32And the scribe said to him: Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth that there is one God, and there is no other beside him; 33and that he should be loved from the whole heart, and from the whole understanding, and from the whole soul, and from the whole strength. And to love one’s neighbor as one’s self is greater than all holocausts and sacrifices.” 34And Jesus, seeing that he had responded wisely, said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that, no one dared to question him.