First ReadingGenesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
From the Book of Genesis
1After these things,God tested Abraham,and said to him, “Abraham!”
He said, “Here I am.”
2He said, “Now take your son,your only son, Isaac,whom you love, and go into the land of Moriah.Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountainswhich I will tell you of.” verses 3–8 are not read9They came to the place which God had told him of.Abraham built the altar there,and laid the wood in order,bound Isaac his son,and laid him on the altar, on the wood.10Abraham stretched out his hand,and took the knife to kill his son.
11The Lord’s angel called to him out of the sky,and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”
He said, “Here I am.”
12He said, “Don’t lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him.For now I know that you fear God,since you have not withheld your son,your only son, from me.”
13Abraham lifted up his eyes,and looked, and sawthat behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns.Abraham went and took the ram,and offered him up for a burnt offering instead of his son.
verse 14 is not read15The Lord’s angel called to Abraham a second time out of the sky,16and said, “‘I have sworn by myself,’says the Lord, ‘because you have done this thing,and have not withheld your son, your only son,17that I will bless you greatly,and I will multiply your offspring greatly like the stars of the heavens,and like the sand which is on the seashore.Your offspring will possess the gate of his enemies.18All the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring,because you have obeyed my voice.’”