Wednesday 7 August 2024

1“At that time,” says the Lord,“I will be the God of all the families of Israel,and they will be my people.”

2The Lord says, “The peoplewho survive the sword found favor in the wilderness;even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.”

3The Lord appeared of old to me, saying,

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love.Therefore I have drawn you with loving kindness.4I will build you again,and you will be built, O virgin of Israel.You will again be adorned with your tambourines,and will go out in the dances of those who make merry.5Again you will plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria.The planters will plant,and will enjoy its fruit.6For there will be a day that the watchmen on the hills of Ephraim cry,‘Arise! Let’s go up to Zion to the Lord our God.’”

7For the Lord says,

“Sing with gladness for Jacob,and shout for the chief of the nations.Publish, praise, and say,‘Lord, save your people,the remnant of Israel!’

10“Hear the Lord’s word, you nations,and declare it in the distant islands. Say,‘He who scattered Israel will gather him,and keep him, as a shepherd does his flock.’

11For the Lord has ransomed Jacob,and redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he.12They will come and sing in the height of Zion,and will flow to the goodness of the Lord,to the grain, to the new wine, to the oil,and to the young of the flock and of the herd.Their soul will be as a watered garden.They will not sorrow any more at all.

13Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance,the young men and the old together;for I will turn their mourning into joy,and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

21Jesus went out from thereand withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon.22Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders and cried,saying, “Have mercy on me,Lord, you son of David!My daughter is severely possessed by a demon!”

23But he answered her not a word.

His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away;for she cries after us.”

24But he answered, “I wasn’t sent to anyonebut the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

25But she came and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, help me.”

26But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s breadand throw it to the dogs.”

27But she said, “Yes,Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbswhich fall from their masters’ table.”

28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith!Be it done to you even as you desire.”And her daughter was healed from that hour.