Saints Augustine Zhao Rong, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs

1Just as the morning passes, so has the king of Israel passed by. For Israel was a child and I loved him; and out of Egypt I called my son. 2They called them, and so they departed before their face. They offered victims to the Baals, and they sacrificed to graven images. 3And I was like a foster father to Ephraim. I carried them in my arms. And they did not know that I healed them. 4I will draw them with the cords of Adam, with the bands of love. And I will be to them like one who raises the yoke over their jaws. And I will reach down to him so that he may eat.

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8How will I provide for you, Ephraim; how will I protect you, Israel? How will I provide for you as for Adam; will I set you like Zeboiim? My heart has changed within me; together with my regret, it has been stirred up. 9I will not act on the fury of my wrath. I will not turn back to utterly destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, the Divine in your midst, and I will not advance upon the city.

2The One who reigns over Israel: Be attentive. For you lead Joseph like a sheep. The One who sits upon the cherubim: Shine forth

3in the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Awaken your power and draw near, so as to accomplish our salvation.

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15Turn back, O God of hosts. Look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vineyard;

16and complete what your right hand has planted, and look upon the son of man, whom you have confirmed for yourself.

7And going forth, preach, saying: ‘For the kingdom of heaven has drawn near.’ 8Cure the infirm, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You have received freely, so give freely. 9Do not choose to possess gold, nor silver, nor money in your belts, 10nor provisions for the journey, nor two tunics, nor shoes, nor a staff. For the laborer deserves his portion. 11Now, into whatever city or town you will enter, inquire as to who is worthy within it. And stay there until you depart. 12Then, when you enter into the house, greet it, saying, ‘Peace to this house.’ 13And if, indeed, that house is worthy, your peace will rest upon it. But if it is not worthy, your peace will return to you. 14And whoever has neither received you, nor listened to your words, departing from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15Amen I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.