Monday, August 31, 2020

St. Stephen of Ulnia (Zeytoon) and his companion-martyrs,
Sts. Goharinus of Sebastia and his brothers Zamidus, Tuchicus, and Ratigus, martyrs

Proverbs 10:1-7
Isaiah 44:24-26
Hebrews 4:11-15
Matthew 5:1-12

Proverbs 10:1-7

[1] The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
[2] Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
but righteousness delivers from death.
[3] The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry,
but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
[4] A slack hand causes poverty,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
[5] A son who gathers in summer is prudent,
but a son who sleeps in harvest brings shame.
[6] Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
[7] The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.

Isaiah 44:24-26

[24] Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer,
who formed you from the womb:
“I am the LORD, who made all things,
who stretched out the heavens alone,
who spread out the earth — Who was with me? —
[25] who frustrates the omens of liars,
and makes fools of diviners;
who turns wise men back,
and makes their knowledge foolish;
[26] who confirms the word of his servant,
and performs the counsel of his messengers;
who says of Jerusalem, `She shall be inhabited,’
and of the cities of Judah, `They shall be built,
and I will raise up their ruins’;

Hebrews 4:11-15

[11] Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience.
[12] For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
[13] And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
[14] Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
[15] For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Matthew 5:1-12

[1] Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him.
[2] And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
[3] “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[4] “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
[5] “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
[6] “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
[7] “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
[8] “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
[9] “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
[10] “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[11] “Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
[12] Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Revised Standard Version of the Bible is copyright © National Council of Churches of Christ in America