Saint Ephrem, Deacon and Doctor

4Such confidence we have through Christ toward God, 5not that we are sufficient of ourselves to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God, 6who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face, which was passing away, 8won’t service of the Spirit be with much more glory? 9For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10For most certainly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses. 11For if that which passes away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.

5Exalt the LORD our God.

Worship at his footstool.

He is Holy!

6Moses and Aaron were among his priests,

Samuel was among those who call on his name.

They called on the LORD, and he answered them.

7He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud.

They kept his testimonies,

the statute that he gave them.

8You answered them, LORD our God.

You are a God who forgave them,

although you took vengeance for their doings.

9Exalt the LORD, our God.

Worship at his holy hill,

for the LORD, our God, is holy!

17“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished. 19Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.