Thursday of the 33rd week of Ordinary Time

1I saw, in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a book written inside and outside, sealed shut with seven seals. 2I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to break its seals?” 3No one in heaven above, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book or to look in it. 4Then I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look in it. 5One of the elders said to me, “Don’t weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome: he who opens the book and its seven seals.” 6I saw in the middle of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. 7Then he came, and he took it out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

9They sang a new song, saying,

“You are worthy to take the book

and to open its seals,

for you were killed,

and bought us for God with your blood

out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,

10and made us kings and priests to our God;

and we will reign on the earth.”

1Praise the LORD!

Sing to the LORD a new song,

his praise in the assembly of the saints.

2Let Israel rejoice in him who made them.

Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

3Let them praise his name in the dance!

Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!

4For the LORD takes pleasure in his people.

He crowns the humble with salvation.

5Let the saints rejoice in honor.

Let them sing for joy on their beds.

6May the high praises of God be in their mouths,

and a two-edged sword in their hand,

…

9to execute on them the written judgment.

All his saints have this honor.

Praise the LORD!

41When he came near, he saw the city and wept over it, 42saying, “If you, even you, had known today the things which belong to your peace! But now, they are hidden from your eyes. 43For the days will come on you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, surround you, hem you in on every side, 44and will dash you and your children within you to the ground. They will not leave in you one stone on another, because you didn’t know the time of your visitation.”