Saint Stephen of Hungary

11The children of Israel did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, and served the Baals. 12They abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; and they provoked the LORD to anger. 13They abandoned the LORD, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth. 14The LORD’s anger burned against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of raiders who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. 15Wherever they went out, the LORD’s hand was against them for evil, as the LORD had spoken, and as the LORD had sworn to them; and they were very distressed. 16The LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. 17Yet they didn’t listen to their judges; for they prostituted themselves to other gods, and bowed themselves down to them. They quickly turned away from the way in which their fathers walked, obeying the LORD’s commandments. They didn’t do so. 18When the LORD raised up judges for them, then the LORD was with the judge, and saved them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for it grieved the LORD because of their groaning by reason of those who oppressed them and troubled them. 19But when the judge was dead, they turned back, and dealt more corruptly than their fathers in following other gods to serve them and to bow down to them. They didn’t cease what they were doing, or give up their stubborn ways.

34They didn’t destroy the peoples,

as the LORD commanded them,

35but mixed themselves with the nations,

and learned their works.

36They served their idols,

which became a snare to them.

37Yes, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons.

…

39Thus they were defiled with their works,

and prostituted themselves in their deeds.

40Therefore the LORD burned with anger against his people.

He abhorred his inheritance.

…

43He rescued them many times,

but they were rebellious in their counsel,

and were brought low in their iniquity.

44Nevertheless he regarded their distress,

when he heard their cry.

16Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” 17He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18He said to him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not offer false testimony.’ 19‘Honor your father and your mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” 20The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?” 21Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.