Friday of the 34th week of Ordinary Time

2I saw in my vision at night, and behold, the four winds of the heavens fought upon the great sea. 3And four great beasts, different from one another, ascended from the sea. 4The first was like a lioness and had the wings of an eagle. I watched as its wings were plucked off, and it was raised from the earth and stood on its feet like a man, and the heart of a man was given to it. 5And behold, another beast, like a bear, stood to one side, and there were three rows in its mouth and in its teeth, and they spoke to it in this way: “Arise, devour much flesh.” 6After this, I watched, and behold, another like a leopard, and it had wings like a bird, four upon it, and four heads were on the beast, and power was given to it. 7After this, I watched in the vision of the night, and behold, a fourth beast, terrible yet wondrous, and exceedingly strong; it had great iron teeth, eating yet crushing, and trampling down the remainder with his feet, but it was unlike the other beasts, which I had seen before it, and it had ten horns. 8I considered the horns, and behold, another little horn rose out of the midst of them. And three of the first horns were rooted out by its presence. And behold, eyes like the eyes of a man were in this horn, and a mouth speaking unnatural things. 9I watched until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of days sat down. His garment was radiant like snow, and the hair of his head like clean wool; his throne was flames of fire, its wheels had been set on fire. 10A river of fire rushed forth from his presence. Thousands upon thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times hundreds of thousands attended before him. The trial began, and the books were opened. 11I watched because of the voice of the great words which that horn was speaking, and I saw that the beast had been destroyed, and its body was ruined and had been handed over to be burnt with fire. 12Likewise, the power of the other beasts was taken away, and a limited time of life was appointed to them, until one time and another. 13I watched, therefore, in the vision of the night, and behold, with the clouds of heaven, one like a son of man arrived, and he approached all the way to the Ancient of days, and they presented him before him. 14And he gave him power, and honor, and the kingdom, and all peoples, tribes, and languages will serve him. His power is an eternal power, which will not be taken away, and his kingdom, one which will not be corrupted.

75Mountains and hills, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

76All things that grow in the land, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

77Fountains, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

78Seas and rivers, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

79Whales and all things that move in the waters, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

80All things that fly in the heavens, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

81All beasts and cattle, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.

29And he told them a comparison: “Take notice of the fig tree and of all the trees. 30When presently they produce fruit from themselves, you know that summer is near. 31So you also, when you will have seen these things happen, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Amen I say to you, this lineage shall not pass away, until all these things happen. 33Heaven and earth shall pass away. But my words shall not pass away.