First ReadingWisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9
From the Book of Wisdom
14For while peaceful silence wrapped all things,and night in her own swiftness was half spent,15your all-powerful word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne,a stern warrior, into the midst of the doomed land,16bearing as a sharp sword your authentic commandment,and standing, it filled all things with death,and while it touched the sky it stood upon the earth. some verses are not read6For the whole creation, each part in its diverse kind, was made new again,complying with your commandments,that your servants might be kept unharmed.7Then the cloud that overshadowed the camp was seen,and dry land rising up out of what had been water,out of the Red sea an unhindered highway,and a grassy plain out of the violent surge,8by which they passed over with all their army,these who were covered with your hand,having seen strange marvels.9For like horses they roamed at large,and they skipped about like lambs,praising you, O Lord, who was their deliverer.