Daily Reading for Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

Reading 1, Wisdom 3:1-9

¹ But the souls of the upright are in the hands of God, and no torment can touch them.

² To the unenlightened, they appeared to die, their departure was regarded as disaster,

³ their leaving us like annihilation; but they are at peace.

⁴ If, as it seemed to us, they suffered punishment, their hope was rich with immortality;

⁵ slight was their correction, great will their blessings be. God was putting them to the test and has proved them worthy to be with him;

⁶ he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted them as a perfect burnt offering.

⁷ At their time of visitation, they will shine out; as sparks run through the stubble, so will they.

⁸ They will judge nations, rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their king for ever.

⁹ Those who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await his holy ones, and he intervenes on behalf of his chosen.

Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 125:1-5

¹ [Song of Ascents] Whoever trusts in Yahweh is like Mount Zion: unshakeable, it stands for ever.

² Jerusalem! The mountains encircle her: so Yahweh encircles his people, henceforth and for ever.

³ The sceptre of the wicked will not come to rest over the heritage of the upright; or the upright might set their own hands to evil.

⁴ Do good, Yahweh, to those who are good, to the sincere at heart.

⁵ But the crooked, the twisted, turn them away, Yahweh, with evil-doers. Peace to Israel!