Saint Peter Claver, Priest

25Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy. 26Therefore I think that because of the distress that is on us, it’s good for a man to remain as he is. 27Are you bound to a wife? Don’t seek to be freed. Are you free from a wife? Don’t seek a wife. 28But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to spare you. 29But I say this, brothers: the time is short. From now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none; 30and those who weep, as though they didn’t weep; and those who rejoice, as though they didn’t rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn’t possess; 31and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away.

10Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear.

Forget your own people, and also your father’s house.

11So the king will desire your beauty,

honor him, for he is your lord.

…

13The princess inside is all glorious.

Her clothing is interwoven with gold.

14She shall be led to the king in embroidered work.

The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to you.

15With gladness and rejoicing they shall be led.

They shall enter into the king’s palace.

16Your sons will take the place of your fathers.

You shall make them princes in all the earth.

20He lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,

for God’s Kingdom is yours.

21Blessed are you who hunger now,

for you will be filled.

Blessed are you who weep now,

for you will laugh.

22Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude and mock you, and throw out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake.

23Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers did the same thing to the prophets.

24“But woe to you who are rich!

For you have received your consolation.

25Woe to you, you who are full now,

for you will be hungry.

Woe to you who laugh now,

for you will mourn and weep.

26Woe, when men speak well of you,

for their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets.