First ReadingWisdom 13:1-9
From the Book of Wisdom
1For truly all men who had no perception of God were foolish by nature,and didn’t gain power to know him who exists from the good things that are seen.They didn’t recognize the architect from his works.2But they thought that either fire, or wind, or swift air,or circling stars, or raging water, or luminaries of heavenwere gods that rule the world.3If it was through delight in their beauty that they took them to be gods,let them know how much better their Sovereign Lord is than these,for the first author of beauty created them.4But if it was through astonishment at their power and influence,then let them understand from them how much more powerful he who formed them is.5For from the greatness of the beauty of created things,mankind forms the corresponding perception of their Maker.6But yet for these men there is but small blame,for they too perhaps go astraywhile they are seeking God and desiring to find him.7For they diligently search while living among his works,and they trust their sight that the things that they look at are beautiful.8But again even they are not to be excused.9For if they had power to know so much,that they should be able to explore the world,how is it that they didn’t find the Sovereign Lord sooner?