Saint Augustine of Hippo, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of speech, lest the cross of Christ should be made void. 18For the word of the cross, to them indeed that perish, is foolishness; but to them that are saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God. 19For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the prudence of the prudent I will reject. 20Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world, by wisdom, knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save them that believe. 22For both the Jews require signs, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness: 24But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1A psalm for David. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just: praise becometh the upright.

2Give praise to the Lord on the harp; sing to him with the psaltery, the instrument of ten strings.

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4For the word of the Lord is right, and all his works are done with faithfulness.

5He loveth mercy and judgment; the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.

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10The Lord bringeth to naught the counsels of nations; and he rejecteth the devices of people, and casteth away the counsels of princes.

11But the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever: the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. 2And five of them were foolish, and five wise. 3But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. 5And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. 9The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. 11But at last come also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not. 13Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.