Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest

1In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Aggeus the prophet, to Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, governor of Juda, and to Jesus the son of Josedec the high priest, saying: 2Thus saith the Lord of hosts, saying: This people saith: The time is not yet come for building the house of the Lord. 3And the word of the Lord came by the hand of Aggeus the prophet, saying: 4Is it time for you to dwell in ceiled houses, and this house lie desolate? 5And now thus saith the Lord of hosts: Set your hearts to consider your ways. 6You have sowed much, and brought in little: you have eaten, but have not had enough: you have drunk, but have not been filled with drink: you have clothed yourselves, but have not been warmed: and he that hath earned wages, put them into a bag with holes. 7Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Set Your hearts upon your ways: 8Go up to the mountain, bring timber, and build the house: and it shall be acceptable to me, and I shall be glorified, saith the Lord.

1Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: let his praise be in the church of the saints.

2Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: and let the children of Sion be joyful in their king.

3Let them praise his name in choir: let them sing to him with the timbrel and the psaltery.

4For the Lord is well pleased with his people: and he will exalt the meek unto salvation.

5The saints shall rejoice in glory: they shall be joyful in their beds.

6The high praise of God shall be in their mouth: and two-edged swords in their hands:

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9To execute upon them the judgment that is written: this glory is to all his saints. Alleluia.

7Now Herod, the tetrarch, heard of all things that were done by him; and he was in a doubt, because it was said 8By some, that John was risen from the dead: but by other some, that Elias had appeared; and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. 9And Herod said: John I have beheaded; but who is this of whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him.