1st Sunday of Advent

14Behold, the days are approaching, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the good word that I have spoken to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. 15In those days and at that time, I will cause the seedling of justice to spring up from David, and he will accomplish judgment and justice upon the earth. 16In those days, Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in confidence. And this is the name that they will call him: ‘The Lord, our Just One.’

4May all those who act unjustly over nothing be confounded. O Lord, demonstrate your ways to me, and teach me your paths.

5Direct me in your truth, and teach me. For you are God, my Savior, and I remain with you all day long.

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8The Lord is sweet and righteous. Because of this, he will grant a law to those who fall short in the way.

9He will direct the mild in judgment. He will teach the meek his ways.

10All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth, to those who yearn for his covenant and his testimonies.

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14The Lord is a firmament to those who fear him, and his covenant will be made manifest to them.

3:12And may the Lord multiply you, and make you abound in your charity toward one another and toward all, just as we also do toward you, 13in order to confirm your hearts without blame, in sanctity, before God our Father, unto the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Amen.

4:1Therefore, concerning other things, brothers, we ask and beg you, in the Lord Jesus, that, just as you have received from us the way in which you ought to walk and to please God, so also may you walk, in order that you may abound all the more. 2For you know what precepts I have given to you through the Lord Jesus.

25And there will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars. And there will be, on earth, distress among the Gentiles, out of confusion at the roaring of the sea and of the waves: 26men withering away out of fear and out of apprehension over the things that will overwhelm the whole world. For the powers of the heavens will be moved. 27And then they will see the Son of man coming on a cloud, with great power and majesty. 28But when these things begin to happen, lift up your heads and look around you, because your redemption draws near.”

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34But be attentive to yourselves, lest perhaps your hearts may be weighed down by self-indulgence and inebriation and the cares of this life. And then that day may overwhelm you suddenly. 35For like a snare it will overwhelm all those who sit upon the face of the entire earth. 36And so, be vigilant, praying at all times, so that you may be held worthy to escape from all these things, which are in the future, and to stand before the Son of man.”