Wednesday 22 November 2023

1It came to pass that seven brothersand their mother were at the king’s command takenand shamefully handled with scourges and cords,to compel them to taste of the abominable swine’s flesh.

· · · verses 2–19 are not read20But above all, the mother was marvelousand worthy of honorable memory;for when she watched seven sons perishing within the space of one day,she bore the sight with a good couragebecause of her hope in the Lord.21She exhorted each one of them in the language of their fathers,filled with a noble spiritand stirring up her woman’s thoughts with manly courage, saying to them,22“I don’t know how you came into my womb.It wasn’t I who gave you your spirit and your life.It wasn’t I who brought into order the first elements of each one of you.23Therefore the Creator of the world,who shaped the first origin of manand devised the first origin of all things,in mercy gives back to you again both your spirit and your life,as you now treat yourselves with contempt for his laws’ sake.”

24But Antiochus, thinking himself to be despised,and suspecting the reproachful voice,while the youngest was yet alive didn’t only make his appeal to him by words,but also at the same time promised with oathsthat he would enrich himand raise him to high honor if he would turn from the ways of his ancestors,and that he would take him for his friendand entrust him with public affairs.25But when the young man would in no way listen,the king called to him his mother,and urged her to advise the youth to save himself.26When he had urged her with many words,she undertook to persuade her son.27But bending toward him,laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn,she spoke this in the language of her fathers:“My son, have pity upon mewho carried you nine months in my womb,and nursed you three years,and nourished and brought you up to this age,and sustained you.28I beg you, my child,to lift your eyes to the sky and the earth,and to see all things that are in it,and thus to recognizethat God made them not of things that were,and that the race of men in this way comes into being.29Don’t be afraid of this butcher,but, proving yourself worthy of your brothers,accept your death,that in God’s mercy I may receive you again with your brothers.”

30But before she had finished speaking,the young man said,“What are you all waiting for?I don’t obey the commandment of the king,but I listen to the commandment of the lawthat was given to our fathers through Moses.31But you, who have devised all kinds of evil against the Hebrews,will in no way escape God’s hands.

1Hear, Lord, my righteous plea.Give ear to my prayer that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.

5My steps have held fast to your paths.My feet have not slipped.6I have called on you, for you will answer me, God.Turn your ear to me.Hear my speech.

8Keep me as the apple of your eye.Hide me under the shadow of your wings,

15As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness.I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.

11As they heard these things,he went on and told a parable,because he was near Jerusalem,and they supposedthat God’s Kingdom would be revealed immediately.12He said therefore,“A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.13He called ten servants of hisand gave them ten mina coins,and told them, ‘Conduct business until I come.’14But his citizens hated him,and sent an envoy after him,saying, ‘We don’t want this man to reign over us.’

15“When he had come back again,having received the kingdom,he commanded these servants,to whom he had given the money,to be called to him,that he might know what they had gained by conducting business.16The first came before him,saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten more minas.’

17“He said to him, ‘Well done, you good servant!Because you were found faithful with very little,you shall have authority over ten cities.’

18“The second came, saying,‘Your mina, Lord, has made five minas.’

19“So he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’

20Another came, saying,‘Lord, behold, your mina,which I kept laid away in a handkerchief,21for I feared you, because you are an exacting man.You take up that which you didn’t lay down,and reap that which you didn’t sow.’

22“He said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you,you wicked servant!You knew that I am an exacting man,taking up that which I didn’t lay downand reaping that which I didn’t sow.23Then why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank,and at my coming, I might have earned interest on it?’24He said to those who stood by,‘Take the mina away from himand give it to him who has the ten minas.’

25“They said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’26‘For I tell you that to everyone who has,will more be given;but from him who doesn’t have,even that which he has will be taken away from him.27But bring those enemies of minewho didn’t want me to reign over them here,and kill them before me.’”28Having said these things,he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.