Saturday of the 15th week of Ordinary Time

1Woe to you who devise useless things and who work evil in your beds. In the morning light, they undertake it, because their hand is against God. 2And they have desired fields and have taken them by violence, and they have stolen houses. And they have made false accusations against a man and his house, a man and his inheritance. 3For this reason, thus says the Lord: Behold, I devise an evil against this family, from which you will not steal away your necks. And you will not walk in arrogance, because this is a most wicked time. 4In that day, a parable will be taken up about you, and a song will be sung with sweetness, saying: “We have been devastated by depopulation.” The fate of my people has been altered. How can he withdraw from me, when he might be turned back, he who might tear apart our country? 5Because of this, there will be for you no casting of the cord of fate in the assembly of the Lord.

22So then, why, O Lord, have you withdrawn far away? Why have you overlooked us in opportunity, in tribulation?

23While the impious is arrogant, the poor is enflamed. They are held by the counsels that they devise.

24For the sinner is praised by the desires of his soul, and the iniquitous is blessed.

25The sinner has provoked the Lord; according to the multitude of his wrath, he will not seek him.

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28His mouth is full of curses, and bitterness, and deceit. Under his tongue are hardship and sorrow.

29He sits in ambush, with resources in hidden places, so that he may execute the innocent.

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35You do see, for you examine hardship and sorrow, so that you may deliver them into your hands. The poor one has been abandoned to you. You will be a helper to the orphan.

14Then the Pharisees, departing, took council against him, as to how they might destroy him. 15But Jesus, knowing this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he cured them all. 16And he instructed them, lest they make him known. 17Then what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled, saying: 18“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased. I will place my Spirit over him, and he shall announce judgment to the nations. 19He shall not contend, nor cry out, neither shall anyone hear his voice in the streets. 20He shall not crush the bruised reed, and he shall not extinguish the smoking wick, until he sends forth judgment unto victory. 21And the Gentiles shall hope in his name.”