Gregorian

Synaxarium

3_28810;4_219;select * from katapsalms where ((type=3) and (ref='26:5'))5_902;6_2013;7_2043;8_1285;9_199;select * from katapsalms where ((type=3) and (ref='26:10,11'))10_2566;

Wednesday of 3rd week of the Great Lent

يوم الأربعاء من الاسبوع الثالث من الصوم الكبير

From the book of Exodus

من سفر الخروج لموسى النبي

4:19-6:13

٤ : ١٩ − ٦ : ١٣

*And the Lord said to Moses, in Madian: Go, and return into Egypt: for they are all dead that sought thy life. Moses therefore took his wife, and his sons, and set them upon an ass: and returned into Egypt, carrying the rod of God in his hand. And the Lord said to him as he was returning into Egypt: See that thou do all the wonders before Pharao, which I have put in thy hand: I shall harden his heart, and he will not let the people go. And thou shalt say to him: Thus saith the Lord: Israel is my son, my firstborn. I have said to thee: Let my son go, that he may serve me, and thou wouldst not let him go: behold I will kill thy son, thy firstborn. And when he was in his journey, in the inn, the Lord met him, and would have killed him. Immediately Sephora took a very sharp stone, and circumcised the fore skin of her son, and touched his feet and said: A bloody spouse art thou to me. And he let him go after she had said A bloody spouse art thou to me, because of the circumcision. And the Lord said to Aaron: Go into the desert to meet Moses. And he went forth to meet him in the mountain of God, and kissed him. And Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord, by which he had sent him, and the signs that he had commanded. And they came together, and they assembled all the ancients of the children of Israel. And Aaron spoke all the words which the Lord had said to Moses: and he wrought the signs before the people, And the people believed. And they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel: and that he had looked upon their affliction: and falling down they adored. Pharao refuseth to let the people go. They are more oppressed. After these things Moses and Aaron went in, and said to Pharao: Thus saith the Lord God of Israel: Let my people go that they may sacrifice to me in the desert. But he answered: Who is the Lord, that I should hear his voice, and let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go. And they said: The God of the Hebrews hath called us, to go three days' journey into the wilderness and to sacrifice to the Lord our God: lest a pestilence or the sword fall upon us. The king of Egypt said to them: Why do you Moses and Aaron draw off the people from their works? Get you gone to your burdens. And Pharao said: The people of the land is numerous: you see that the multitude is increased: how much more if you give them rest from their works? Therefore he commanded the same day the overseers of the works, and the taskmasters of the people, saying: You shall give straw no more to the people to make brick, as before: but let them go and gather straw. And you shall lay upon them the task of bricks, which they did before, neither shall you diminish any thing thereof: for they are idle, and therefore they cry, saying: Let us go and sacrifice to our God. Let them be oppressed, with works, and let them fulfill them: that they may not regard lying words. And the overseers of the works and the taskmasters went out and said to the people: Thus saith Pharao, I allow you no straw: Go, and gather it where you can find it: neither shall any thing of your work be diminished. And the people was scattered through all the land of Egypt to gather straw. And the overseers of the works pressed them, saying: Fulfill your work every day as before you were wont to do when straw was given you. And they that were over the works of the children of Israel were scourged by Pharao's taskmasters, saying: Why have you not made up the task of bricks both yesterday and today as before? And the officers of the children of Israel came, and cried out to Pharao, saying: Why dealest thou so with thy servants? Straw is not given us, and bricks are required of us as before: behold we thy servants are beaten with whips, and thy people is unjustly dealt withal. And he said: You are idle, and therefore you say: Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord. Go therefore, and work: straw shall not be given you, and you shall deliver the accustomed number of bricks. And the officers of the children of Israel saw that they were in evil case, because it was said to them: There shall not a whit be diminished of the bricks for every day. And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood over against them as they came out from Pharao: And they said to them: The Lord see and judge, because you have made our savour to stink before Pharao and his servants, and you have given him a sword to kill us. And Moses returned to the Lord, and said: Lord, why hast thou afflicted this people? wherefore hast thou sent me? For since the time that I went in to Pharao to speak in thy name, he hath afflicted thy people: and thou hast not delivered them. God reneweth his promise. The genealogies of Ruben, Simon and Levi, down to Moses and Aaron. And the Lord said to Moses: Now thou shalt see what I will do to Pharao: for by a mighty hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he cast them out of his land. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: I am the Lord, That appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, by the name of God Almighty; and my name ADONAI I did not shew them. And I made a covenant with them, to give them the land of Chanaan, the land of their pilgrimage wherein they were strangers. I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel, wherewith the Egyptians have oppressed them: and I have remembered my covenant. Therefore say to the children of Israel: I am the Lord who will bring you out from the work prison of the Egyptians, and will deliver you from bondage: and redeem you with a high arm, and great judgments. And I will take you to myself for my people, I will be your God: and you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brought you out from the work prison of the Egyptians. And brought you into the land, concerning which I lifted up my hand to give it to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and I will give it you to possess, I am the Lord. And Moses told all this to the children of Israel: but they did not hearken to him, for anguish of spirit, and most painful work. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Go in, and speak to Pharao king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land. Moses answered before the Lord Behold the children of Israel do no hearken to me; and how will Pharao hear me, especially as I am of uncircumcised lips? And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, and he gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharao the king of Egypt, that they should bring forth the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. Glory be to The Holy Trinity.

وَقَالَ الرَّبُّ لِمُوسَى فِي مِدْيَانَ: "اذْهَبِ ارْجِعْ إِلَى مِصْرَ لأَنَّهُ قَدْ مَاتَ جَمِيعُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يَطْلُبُونَ نَفْسَكَ" فَأَخَذَ مُوسَى امْرَأَتَهُ وَبَنِيهِ وَأَرْكَبَهُمْ عَلَى الْحَمِيرِ وَرَجَعَ إِلَى أَرْضِ مِصْرَ. وَأَخَذَ مُوسَى عَصَا اللهِ فِي يَدِهِ وَقَالَ الرَّبُّ لِمُوسَى: "عِنْدَمَا تَذْهَبُ لِتَرْجِعَ إِلَى مِصْرَ انْظُرْ جَمِيعَ الْعَجَائِبِ الَّتِي جَعَلْتُهَا فِي يَدِكَ وَاصْنَعْهَا قُدَّامَ فِرْعَوْنَ. وَلَكِنِّي أُشَدِّدُ قَلْبَهُ حَتَّى لاَ يُطْلِقَ الشَّعْبَ فَتَقُولُ لِفِرْعَوْنَ: هَكَذَا يَقُولُ الرَّبُّ: إِسْرَائِيلُ ابْنِي الْبِكْرُ فَقُلْتُ لَكَ: أَطْلِقِ ابْنِي لِيَعْبُدَنِي فَأَبَيْتَ أَنْ تُطْلِقَهُ. هَا أَنَا أَقْتُلُ ابْنَكَ الْبِكْرَ" وَحَدَثَ فِي الطَّرِيقِ فِي الْمَنْزِلِ أَنَّ الرَّبَّ الْتَقَاهُ وَطَلَبَ أَنْ يَقْتُلَهُ فَأَخَذَتْ صَفُّورَةُ صَوَّانَةً وَقَطَعَتْ غُرْلَةَ ابْنِهَا وَمَسَّتْ رِجْلَيْهِ. فَقَالَتْ: "إِنَّكَ عَرِيسُ دَمٍ لِي" فَانْفَكَّ عَنْهُ. حِينَئِذٍ قَالَتْ: "عَرِيسُ دَمٍ مِنْ أَجْلِ الْخِتَانِ" وَقَالَ الرَّبُّ لِهَارُونَ: "اذْهَبْ إِلَى الْبَرِّيَّةِ لاِسْتِقْبَالِ مُوسَى". فَذَهَبَ وَالْتَقَاهُ فِي جَبَلِ اللهِ وَقَبَّلَهُ فَأَخْبَرَ مُوسَى هَارُونَ بِجَمِيعِ كَلاَمِ الرَّبِّ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَهُ وَبِكُلِّ الآيَاتِ الَّتِي أَوْصَاهُ بِهَا ثُمَّ مَضَى مُوسَى وَهَارُونُ وَجَمَعَا جَمِيعَ شُيُوخِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ فَتَكَلَّمَ هَارُونُ بِجَمِيعِ الْكَلاَمِ الَّذِي كَلَّمَ الرَّبُّ مُوسَى بِهِ وَصَنَعَ الآيَاتِ أَمَامَ عُيُونِ الشَّعْبِ فَآمَنَ الشَّعْبُ. وَلَمَّا سَمِعُوا أَنَّ الرَّبَّ افْتَقَدَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَأَنَّهُ نَظَرَ مَذَلَّتَهُمْ خَرُّوا وَسَجَدُوا وَبَعْدَ ذَلِكَ دَخَلَ مُوسَى وَهَارُونُ وَقَالاَ لِفِرْعَوْنَ: "هَكَذَا يَقُولُ الرَّبُّ إِلَهُ إِسْرَائِيلَ: أَطْلِقْ شَعْبِي لِيُعَيِّدُوا لِي فِي الْبَرِّيَّةِ" فَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ: "مَنْ هُوَ الرَّبُّ حَتَّى أَسْمَعَ لِقَوْلِهِ فَأُطْلِقَ إِسْرَائِيلَ؟ لاَ أَعْرِفُ الرَّبَّ وَإِسْرَائِيلَ لاَ أُطْلِقُهُ" فَقَالاَ: "إِلَهُ الْعِبْرَانِيِّينَ قَدِ الْتَقَانَا فَنَذْهَبُ سَفَرَ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ فِي الْبَرِّيَّةِ وَنَذْبَحُ لِلرَّبِّ إِلَهِنَا لِئَلاَّ يُصِيبَنَا بِالْوَبَإِ أَوْ بِالسَّيْفِ" فَقَالَ لَهُمَا مَلِكُ مِصْرَ: "لِمَاذَا يَا مُوسَى وَهَارُونُ تُبَطِّلاَنِ الشَّعْبَ مِنْ أَعْمَالِهِ؟ اذْهَبَا إِلَى أَثْقَالِكُمَا" وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ: "هُوَذَا الآنَ شَعْبُ الأَرْضِ كَثِيرٌ وَأَنْتُمَا تُرِيحَانِهِمْ مِنْ أَثْقَالِهِمْ" فَأَمَرَ فِرْعَوْنُ فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ مُسَخِّرِي الشَّعْبِ وَمُدَبِّرِيهِ قَائِلاً: "لاَ تَعُودُوا تُعْطُونَ الشَّعْبَ تِبْناً لِصُنْعِ اللِّبْنِ كَأَمْسِ وَأَوَّلَ مِنْ أَمْسِ. لِيَذْهَبُوا هُمْ وَيَجْمَعُوا تِبْناً لأَنْفُسِهِمْ وَمِقْدَارَ اللِّبْنِ الَّذِي كَانُوا يَصْنَعُونَهُ أَمْسِ وَأَوَّلَ مِنْ أَمْسِ تَجْعَلُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ. لاَ تَنْقُصُوا مِنْهُ فَإِنَّهُمْ مُتَكَاسِلُونَ لِذَلِكَ يَصْرُخُونَ قَائِلِينَ: نَذْهَبُ وَنَذْبَحُ لإِلَهِنَا لِيُثَقَّلِ الْعَمَلُ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ حَتَّى يَشْتَغِلُوا بِهِ وَلاَ يَلْتَفِتُوا إِلَى كَلاَمِ الْكَذِبِ" فَخَرَجَ مُسَخِّرُو الشَّعْبِ وَمُدَبِّرُوهُ وَقَالُوا لِلشَّعْبَ: "هَكَذَا يَقُولُ فِرْعَوْنُ: لَسْتُ أُعْطِيكُمْ تِبْناً اذْهَبُوا أَنْتُمْ وَخُذُوا لأَنْفُسِكُمْ تِبْناً مِنْ حَيْثُ تَجِدُونَ. إِنَّهُ لاَ يُنْقَصُ مِنْ عَمَلِكُمْ شَيْءٌ" فَتَفَرَّقَ الشَّعْبُ فِي كُلِّ أَرْضِ مِصْرَ لِيَجْمَعُوا قَشّاً عِوَضاً عَنِ التِّبْنِ وَكَانَ الْمُسَخِّرُونَ يُعَجِّلُونَهُمْ قَائِلِينَ: "كَمِّلُوا أَعْمَالَكُمْ أَمْرَ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ بِيَوْمِهِ كَمَا كَانَ حِينَمَا كَانَ التِّبْنُ" فَضُرِبَ مُدَبِّرُو بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ الَّذِينَ أَقَامَهُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ مُسَخِّرُو فِرْعَوْنَ، وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ: "لِمَاذَا لَمْ تُكَمِّلُوا فَرِيضَتَكُمْ مِنْ صُنْعِ اللِّبْنِ أَمْسِ وَالْيَوْمَ كَالأَمْسِ وَأَوَّلَ مِنْ أَمْسِ؟". فَأَتَى مُدَبِّرُو بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَصَرَخُوا إِلَى فِرْعَوْنَ قَائِلِينَ: "لِمَاذَا تَفْعَلُ هكَذَا بِعَبِيدِكَ؟ اَلتِّبْنُ لَيْسَ يُعْطَى لِعَبِيدِكَ، وَاللِّبْنُ يَقُولُونَ لَنَا: اصْنَعُوهُ! وَهُوَذَا عَبِيدُكَ مَضْرُوبُونَ، وَقَدْ أَخْطَأَ شَعْبُكَ". فَقَالَ: "مُتَكَاسِلُونَ أَنْتُمْ، مُتَكَاسِلُونَ! لِذلِكَ تَقُولُونَ: نَذْهَبُ وَنَذْبَحُ لِلرَّبِّ. فَالآنَ اذْهَبُوا اعْمَلُوا. وَتِبْنٌ لاَ يُعْطَى لَكُمْ وَمِقْدَارَ اللِّبْنِ تُقَدِّمُونَهُ". فَرَأَى مُدَبِّرُو بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَنْفُسَهُمْ فِي بَلِيَّةٍ إِذْ قِيلَ لَهُمْ لاَ تُنَقِّصُوا مِنْ لِبْنِكُمْ أَمْرَ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ بِيَوْمِهِ. وَصَادَفُوا مُوسَى وَهَارُونَ وَاقِفَيْنِ لِلِقَائِهِمْ حِينَ خَرَجُوا مِنْ لَدُنْ فِرْعَوْنَ. فَقَالُوا لَهُمَا: "يَنْظُرُ الرَّبُّ إِلَيْكُمَا وَيَقْضِي، لأَنَّكُمَا أَنْتَنْتُمَا رَائِحَتَنَا فِي عَيْنَيْ فِرْعَوْنَ وَفِي عُيُونِ عَبِيدِهِ حَتَّى تُعْطِيَا سَيْفًا فِي أَيْدِيهِمْ لِيَقْتُلُونَا". فَرَجَعَ مُوسَى إِلَى الرَّبِّ وَقَالَ: "يَا سَيِّدُ، لِمَاذَا أَسَأْتَ إِلَى هذَا الشَّعْبِ؟ لِمَاذَا أَرْسَلْتَنِي؟ فَإِنَّهُ مُنْذُ دَخَلْتُ إِلَى فِرْعَوْنَ لأَتَكَلَّمَ بِاسْمِكَ، أَسَاءَ إِلَى هذَا الشَّعْبِ. وَأَنْتَ لَمْ تُخَلِّصْ شَعْبَكَ". فَقَالَ الرَّبُّ لِمُوسَى: "الآنَ تَنْظُرُ مَا أَنَا أَفْعَلُ بِفِرْعَوْنَ. فَإِنَّهُ بِيَدٍ قَوِيَّةٍ يُطْلِقُهُمْ، وَبِيَدٍ قَوِيَّةٍ يَطْرُدُهُمْ مِنْ أَرْضِهِ". ثُمَّ كَلَّمَ اللهُ مُوسَى وَقَالَ لَهُ: "أَنَا الرَّبُّ. وَأَنَا ظَهَرْتُ لإِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ بِأَنِّي الإِلهُ الْقَادِرُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ. وَأَمَّا بِاسْمِي "يَهْوَهْ" فَلَمْ أُعْرَفْ عِنْدَهُمْ. وَأَيْضًا أَقَمْتُ مَعَهُمْ عَهْدِي: أَنْ أُعْطِيَهُمْ أَرْضَ كَنْعَانَ أَرْضَ غُرْبَتِهِمِ الَّتِي تَغَرَّبُوا فِيهَا. وَأَنَا أَيْضًا قَدْ سَمِعْتُ أَنِينَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَعْبِدُهُمُ الْمِصْرِيُّونَ، وَتَذَكَّرْتُ عَهْدِي. لِذلِكَ قُلْ لِبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ: أَنَا الرَّبُّ. وَأَنَا أُخْرِجُكُمْ مِنْ تَحْتِ أَثْقَالِ الْمِصْرِيِّينَ وَأُنْقِذُكُمْ مِنْ عُبُودِيَّتِهِمْ وَأُخَلِّصُكُمْ بِذِرَاعٍ مَمْدُودَةٍ وَبِأَحْكَامٍ عَظِيمَةٍ، وَأَتَّخِذُكُمْ لِي شَعْبًا، وَأَكُونُ لَكُمْ إِلهًا. فَتَعْلَمُونَ أَنِّي أَنَا الرَّبُّ إِلهُكُمُ الَّذِي يُخْرِجُكُمْ مِنْ تَحْتِ أَثْقَالِ الْمِصْرِيِّينَ. وَأُدْخِلُكُمْ إِلَى الأَرْضِ الَّتِي رَفَعْتُ يَدِي أَنْ أُعْطِيَهَا لإِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ. وَأُعْطِيَكُمْ إِيَّاهَا مِيرَاثًا. أَنَا الرَّبُّ". فَكَلَّمَ مُوسَى بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ هكَذَا، وَلكِنْ لَمْ يَسْمَعُوا لِمُوسَى مِنْ صِغَرِ النَّفْسِ، وَمِنَ الْعُبُودِيَّةِ الْقَاسِيَةِ. ثُمَّ كَلَّمَ الرَّبُّ مُوسَى قَائِلاً: "اُدْخُلْ قُلْ لِفِرْعَوْنَ مَلِكِ مِصْرَ أَنْ يُطْلِقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ مِنْ أَرْضِهِ". فَتَكَلَّمَ مُوسَى أَمَامَ الرَّبِّ قَائِلاً: "هُوَذَا بَنُو إِسْرَائِيلَ لَمْ يَسْمَعُوا لِي، فَكَيْفَ يَسْمَعُنِي فِرْعَوْنُ وَأَنَا أَغْلَفُ الشَّفَتَيْنِ؟" فَكَلَّمَ الرَّبُّ مُوسَى وَهَارُونَ، وَأَوْصَى مَعَهُمَا إِلَى بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَإِلَى فِرْعَوْنَ مَلِكِ مِصْرَ فِي إِخْرَاجِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ مِنْ أَرْضِ مِصْرَ. مَجْدَاً لِلثَالُوث الأَقَدَسْ.

From the book of Joel

من يوئيل النبي

2:21-27

٢ : ٢١ − ٢٧

*Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoice: for the Lord hath done great things. Fear not, ye beasts of the fields: for the beautiful places of the wilderness are sprung, for the tree hath brought forth its fruit, the fig tree, and the vine have yielded their strength. And you, O children of Sion, rejoice, and be joyful in the Lord your God: because he hath given you a teacher of justice, and he will make the early and the latter rain to come down to you as in the beginning. And the floors shall be filled with wheat, and the presses shall overflow with wine and oil. And I will restore to you the ears which the locust, and the bruchus, and the mildew, and the palmerworm have eaten; my great host which I sent upon you. And you shall eat in plenty, and shall be filled: and you shall praise the name of the Lord your God, who hath done wonders with you, and my people shall not be confounded for ever. And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: and I am the Lord your God, and there is none besides: and my people shall not be confounded for ever. Glory be to The Holy Trinity.

لاَ تَخَافِي أَيَّتُهَا الأَرْضُ. ابْتَهِجِي وَافْرَحِي لأَنَّ الرَّبَّ يُعَظِّمُ عَمَلَهُ لاَ تَخَافِي يَا بَهَائِمَ الصَّحْرَاءِ فَإِنَّ مَرَاعِيَ الْبَرِّيَّةِ تَنْبُتُ لأَنَّ الأَشْجَارَ تَحْمِلُ ثَمَرَهَا التِّينَةُ وَالْكَرْمَةُ تُعْطِيَانِ قُوَّتَهُمَا وَيَا بَنِي صِهْيَوْنَ ابْتَهِجُوا وَافْرَحُوا بِالرَّبِّ إِلَهِكُمْ لأَنَّهُ يُعْطِيكُمُ الْمَطَرَ الْمُبَكِّرَ عَلَى حَقِّهِ وَيُنْزِلُ عَلَيْكُمْ مَطَراً مُبَكِّراً وَمُتَأَخِّراً فِي أَوَّلِ الْوَقْتِ فَتُمْلَأُ الْبَيَادِرُ حِنْطَةً وَتَفِيضُ حِيَاضُ الْمَعَاصِرِ خَمْراً وَزَيْتاً "وَأُعَوِّضُ لَكُمْ عَنِ السِّنِينَ الَّتِي أَكَلَهَا الْجَرَادُ الْغَوْغَاءُ وَالطَّيَّارُ وَالْقَمَصُ جَيْشِي الْعَظِيمُ الَّذِي أَرْسَلْتُهُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَتَأْكُلُونَ أَكْلاً وَتَشْبَعُونَ وَتُسَبِّحُونَ اسْمَ الرَّبِّ إِلَهِكُمُ الَّذِي صَنَعَ مَعَكُمْ عَجَباً وَلاَ يَخْزَى شَعْبِي إِلَى الأَبَدِ وَتَعْلَمُونَ أَنِّي أَنَا فِي وَسَطِ إِسْرَائِيلَ وَأَنِّي أَنَا الرَّبُّ إِلَهُكُمْ وَلَيْسَ غَيْرِي. وَلاَ يَخْزَى شَعْبِي إِلَى الأَبَدِ مَجْدَاً لِلثَالُوث الأَقَدَسْ.

From the book of Isaiah

من أشعياء النبي

9:9-10:4

٩ : ٩ − ١٠ : ٤

*And all the people of Ephraim shall know, and the inhabitants of Samaria that say in the pride and haughtiness of their heart: The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with square stones: they have cut down the sycamores, but we will change them for cedars. And the Lord shall set up the enemies of Rasin over him, and shall bring on his enemies in a crowd: The Syrians from the east, and the Philistines from the west: and they shall devour Israel with open mouth, For all this his indignation is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. And the people are not returned to him who hath struck them, and have not sought after the Lord of hosts. And the Lord shall destroy out of Israel the head and the tail, him that bendeth down, and him that holdeth back, in one day. The aged and honourable, he is the head: and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. And they that call this people blessed, shall cause them to err: and they that are called blessed, shall be thrown down headlong. Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men: neither shall he have mercy on their fatherless, and widows: for every one is a hypocrite and wicked, and every mouth hath spoken folly. For all this his indignation is not turned away, but his bend is stretched out still. For wickedness is kindled as a fire, it shall devour the brier and the thorn: and shall kindle in the thicket of the forest, and it shall be wrapped up in smoke ascending on high. By the wrath of the Lord of hosts the land is troubled, and the people shall be as fuel for the fire: no man shall spare his brother. And he shall turn to the right hand, and shall be hungry: and shall eat on the left hand, and shall not be filled: every one shall eat the flesh of his own arm: Manasses Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasses, and they together shall be against Juda. After all these things his indignation is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. Woe to the makers of wicked laws. The Assyrian shall be a rod for punishing Israel: but for their pride they shall be destroyed: and a remnant of Israel saved. Woe to them that make wicked laws: and when they write, write injustice: To oppress the poor in judgment, and do violence to the cause of the humble of my people: that widows might be their prey, and that they might rob the fatherless. What will you do in the day of visitation, and of the calamity which cometh from afar? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? That you be not bowed down under the bond, and fall with the slain? In all these things his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. Glory be to The Holy Trinity.

فَيَعْرِفُ الشَّعْبُ كُلُّهُ أَفْرَايِمُ وَسُكَّانُ السَّامِرَةِ الْقَائِلُونَ بِكِبْرِيَاءٍ وَبِعَظَمَةِ قَلْبٍ: "قَدْ هَبَطَ اللِّبْنُ فَنَبْنِي بِحِجَارَةٍ مَنْحُوتَةٍ. قُطِعَ الْجُمَّيْزُ فَنَسْتَخْلِفُهُ بِأَرْزٍ" فَيَرْفَعُ الرَّبُّ أَخْصَامَ رَصِينَ عَلَيْهِ وَيُهَيِّجُ أَعْدَاءَهُ: الأَرَامِيِّينَ مِنْ قُدَّامُ وَالْفِلِسْطِينِيِّينَ مِنْ وَرَاءُ فَيَأْكُلُونَ إِسْرَائِيلَ بِكُلِّ الْفَمِ. مَعَ كُلِّ هَذَا لَمْ يَرْتَدَّ غَضَبُهُ بَلْ يَدُهُ مَمْدُودَةٌ بَعْدُ! وَالشَّعْبُ لَمْ يَرْجِعْ إِلَى ضَارِبِهِ وَلَمْ يَطْلُبْ رَبَّ الْجُنُودِ فَيَقْطَعُ الرَّبُّ مِنْ إِسْرَائِيلَ الرَّأْسَ وَالذَّنَبَ النَّخْلَ وَالأَسَلَ فِي يَوْمٍ وَاحِدٍ اَلشَّيْخُ وَالْمُعْتَبَرُ هُوَ الرَّأْسُ وَالنَّبِيُّ الَّذِي يُعَلِّمُ بِالْكَذِبِ هُوَ الذَّنَبُ وَصَارَ مُرْشِدُو هَذَا الشَّعْبِ مُضِلِّينَ وَمُرْشَدُوهُ مُبْتَلَعِينَ لأَجْلِ ذَلِكَ لاَ يَفْرَحُ السَّيِّدُ بِفِتْيَانِهِ وَلاَ يَرْحَمُ يَتَامَاهُ وَأَرَامِلَهُ لأَنَّ كُلَّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمْ مُنَافِقٌ وَفَاعِلُ شَرٍّ. وَكُلُّ فَمٍ مُتَكَلِّمٌ بِالْحَمَاقَةِ. مَعَ كُلِّ هَذَا لَمْ يَرْتَدَّ غَضَبُهُ بَلْ يَدُهُ مَمْدُودَةٌ بَعْدُ! لأَنَّ الْفُجُورَ يُحْرِقُ كَالنَّارِ. تَأْكُلُ الشَّوْكَ وَالْحَسَكَ وَتُشْعِلُ غَابَ الْوَعْرِ فَتَلْتَفُّ عَمُودَ دُخَانٍ بِسَخَطِ رَبِّ الْجُنُودِ تُحْرَقُ الأَرْضُ وَيَكُونُ الشَّعْبُ كَمَأْكَلٍ لِلنَّارِ. لاَ يُشْفِقُ الإِنْسَانُ عَلَى أَخِيهِ يَلْتَهِمُ عَلَى الْيَمِينِ فَيَجُوعُ وَيَأْكُلُ عَلَى الشِّمَالِ فَلاَ يَشْبَعُ. يَأْكُلُونَ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ لَحْمَ ذِرَاعِهِ: مَنَسَّى أَفْرَايِمَ وَأَفْرَايِمُ مَنَسَّى وَهُمَا مَعاً عَلَى يَهُوذَا. مَعَ كُلِّ هَذَا لَمْ يَرْتَدَّ غَضَبُهُ بَلْ يَدُهُ مَمْدُودَةٌ بَعْدُ! وَيْلٌ للَّذِينَ يَقْضُونَ أَقْضِيَةَ الْبُطْلِ وَلِلْكَتَبَةِ الَّذِينَ يُسَجِّلُونَ جَوْراً لِيَصُدُّوا الضُّعَفَاءَ عَنِ الْحُكْمِ وَيَسْلِبُوا حَقَّ بَائِسِي شَعْبِي لِتَكُونَ الأَرَامِلُ غَنِيمَتَهُمْ وَيَنْهَبُوا الأَيْتَامَ وَمَاذَا تَفْعَلُونَ فِي يَوْمِ الْعِقَابِ حِينَ تَأْتِي التَّهْلُكَةُ مِنْ بَعِيدٍ؟ إِلَى مَنْ تَهْرُبُونَ لِلْمَعُونَةِ وَأَيْنَ تَتْرُكُونَ مَجْدَكُمْ؟ إِمَّا يَجْثُونَ بَيْنَ الأَسْرَى وَإِمَّا يَسْقُطُونَ تَحْتَ الْقَتْلَى. مَعَ كُلِّ هَذَا لَمْ يَرْتَدَّ غَضَبُهُ بَلْ يَدُهُ مَمْدُودَةٌ بَعْدُ! مَجْدَاً لِلثَالُوث الأَقَدَسْ.

From the book of Job

من أيوب الصديق

12:1-14:22

١٢ : ١ − ١٤ : ٢٢

*When Job answered, and said: Are you then men alone, and shall wisdom die with you? I also have a heart as well as you: for who is ignorant of these things, which you know? He that is mocked by his friends as I, shall call upon God and he will hear him: for the simplicity of the just man is laughed to scorn. The lamp despised in the thoughts of the rich, is ready for the time appointed. The tabernacles of robbers abound, and they provoke God boldly; whereas it is he that hath given all into their hands: But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee: and the birds of the air, and they shall tell thee. Speak to the earth, and it shall answer thee: and the fishes of the sea shall tell. Who is ignorant that the hand of the Lord hath made all these things? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the spirit of all flesh of man. Doth not the ear discern words, and the palate of him that eateth, the taste? In the ancient is wisdom, and in length of days prudence. With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding. If he pull down, there is no man that can build up: if he shut up a. man, there is none that can open. If he withhold the waters, all things shall be dried up: and if he send them out, they shall overturn the earth. With him is strength and wisdom: he knoweth both the deceiver, and him that is deceived. He bringeth counsellors to a foolish end, and judges to insensibility. He looseth the belt of kings, and girdeth their loins with a cord. He leadeth away priests without glory, and overthroweth nobles. He changeth the speech of the true speakers, and taketh away the doctrine of the aged. He poureth contempt upon princes, and relieveth them that were oppressed. He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth up to light the shadow of death. He multiplieth nations, and destroyeth them, and restoreth them again after they were overthrown. He changeth the heart of the princes of the people of the earth, and deceiveth them that they walk in vain where there is no way. They shall grope as in the dark, and not in the light, and he shall make them stagger like men that are drunk. Job persists in maintaining his innocence: and reproves his friends. Behold my eye hath seen all these things, and my ear hath heard them, and I have understood them all. According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you. But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. Having first shewn that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse opinions. And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men. Hear ye therefore my reproof, and attend to the judgment of my lips. Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him? Do you accept his person, and do you endeavour to judge for God? Or shall it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? or shall he be deceived as a man, with your deceitful dealings? He shall reprove you, because in secret you accept his person. As soon as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his dread shall fall upon you. Your remembrance shall be compared to ashes, and your necks shall be brought to clay. Hold your peace a little while, that I may speak whatsoever my mind shall suggest to me. Why do I tear my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands? Although he should kill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways in his sight. And he shall be my saviour: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence. Hear ye my speech, and receive with Sour ears hidden truths. If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just. Who is he that will plead against me? let him come: why am I consumed holding my peace? Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not be hid: Withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not thy dread terrify me. Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer me. How many are my iniquities and sins? make me know my crimes and offences. Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thy enemy? Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, thou shewest thy power, and thou pursuest a dry straw. For thou writest bitter things against me, and wilt consume me for the sins of my youth. Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my paths, and hast considered the steps of my feet: Who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is moth-eaten. Job declares the shortness of man's days: and professes his belief of a resurrection. Man born of a woman, living for a short time, is filled with many miseries. Who cometh forth like a flower, and is destroyed, and fleeth as a shadow, and never continueth in the same state. And dost thou think it meet to open thy eyes upon such an one, and to bring him into judgment with thee? Who can make him clean that is conceived of unclean seed? is it not thou who only art? The days of man are short, and the number of his months is with thee: thou hast appointed his bounds which cannot be passed. Depart a little from him, that he may rest, until his wished for day come, as that of the hireling. A tree hath hope: if it be cut, it groweth green again, and the boughs thereof sprout. If its root be old in the earth, and its stock be dead in the dust: At the scent of water, it shall spring, and bring forth leaves, as when it was first planted. But man when he shall be dead, and stripped and consumed, I pray you where is he? As if the waters should depart out of the sea, and an emptied river should be dried up: So man when he is fallen asleep shall not rise again; till the heavens be broken, he shall not awake, nor rise up out of his sleep. Who will grant me this, that thou mayst protect me in hell, and hide me till thy wrath pass, and appoint me a. time when thou wilt remember me? Shall man that is dead, thinkest thou, live again? all the days in which I am now in warfare, I expect until my change come. Thou shalt call me, and I will answer thee: to the work of thy hands thou shalt reach out thy right hand. Thou indeed hast numbered my steps, but spare my sins. Thou hast sealed up my offences as it were in a bag, but hast cured my iniquity. A mountain falling cometh to nought, and a rock is removed out of its place. Waters wear away the stones, and with inundation the ground by little and little is washed away: so in like manner thou shalt destroy man. Thou hast strengthened him for a little while, that he may pass away for ever: thou shalt change his face, and shalt send him away. Whether his children come to honour or dishonour, he shall not understand. But yet his flesh, while he shall live, shall have pain, and his soul shall mourn over him. Glory be to The Holy Trinity.

فَقَالَ أَيُّوبُ: صَحِيحٌ إِنَّكُمْ أَنْتُمْ شَعْبٌ وَمَعَكُمْ تَمُوتُ الْحِكْمَةُ! غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ لِي فَهْمٌ مِثْلَكُمْ. لَسْتُ أَنَا دُونَكُمْ. وَمَنْ لَيْسَ عِنْدَهُ مِثْلُ هَذِهِ؟ رَجُلاً أُضْحُوكَةٌ لِصَاحِبِهِ صِرْتُ. دَعَا اللهَ فَاسْتَجَابَهُ. أُضْحُوكَةٌ هُوَ الصِّدِّيقُ الْكَامِلُ لِلْمُبْتَلِي هَوَانٌ فِي أَفْكَارِ الْمُطْمَئِنِّ مُهَيَّأٌ لِمَنْ زَلَّتْ قَدَمُهُ خِيَامُ الْمُخَرِّبِينَ مُسْتَرِيحَةٌ والَّذِينَ يُغِيظُونَ اللهَ مُطْمَئِنُّونَ الَّذِينَ يَأْتُونَ بِإِلَهِهِمْ فِي يَدِهِمْ! فَاسْأَلِ الْبَهَائِمَ فَتُعَلِّمَكَ وَطُيُورَ السَّمَاءِ فَتُخْبِرَكَ أَوْ كَلِّمِ الأَرْضَ فَتُعَلِّمَكَ وَيُحَدِّثَكَ سَمَكُ الْبَحْرِ مَنْ لاَ يَعْلَمُ مِنْ كُلِّ هَؤُلاَءِ أَنَّ يَدَ الرَّبِّ صَنَعَتْ هَذَا! الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ نَفَسُ كُلِّ حَيٍّ وَرُوحُ كُلِّ الْبَشَرِ أَفَلَيْسَتِ الأُذُنُ تَمْتَحِنُ الأَقْوَالَ كَمَا أَنَّ الْحَنَكَ يَسْتَطْعِمُ طَعَامَهُ؟ عِنْدَ الشَّيْبِ حِكْمَةٌ وَطُولُ الأَيَّامِ فَهْمٌ عِنْدَهُ الْحِكْمَةُ وَالْقُدْرَةُ. لَهُ الْمَشُورَةُ وَالْفِطْنَةُ هُوَذَا يَهْدِمُ فَلاَ يُبْنَى. يُغْلِقُ عَلَى إِنْسَانٍ فَلاَ يُفْتَحُ يَمْنَعُ الْمِيَاهَ فَتَيْبَسُ. يُطْلِقُهَا فَتَقْلِبُ الأَرْضَ عِنْدَهُ الْعِزُّ وَالْفَهْمُ. لَهُ الْمُضِلُّ وَالْمُضَلُّ يَذْهَبُ بِالْمُشِيرِينَ أَسْرَى وَيُحَمِّقُ الْقُضَاةَ يَحُلُّ مَنَاطِقَ الْمُلُوكِ وَيَشُدُّ أَحْقَاءَهُمْ بِوِثَاقٍ يَذْهَبُ بِالْكَهَنَةِ أَسْرَى وَيَقْلِبُ الأَقْوِيَاءَ يَقْطَعُ كَلاَمَ الأُمَنَاءِ وَيَنْزِعُ ذَوْقَ الشُّيُوخِ يُلْقِي هَوَاناً عَلَى الشُّرَفَاءِ وَيُرْخِي مِنْطَقَةَ الأَشِدَّاءِ يَكْشِفُ الْعَمَائِقَ مِنَ الظَّلاَمِ وَيُخْرِجُ ظِلَّ الْمَوْتِ إِلَى النُّورِ يُكَثِّرُ الأُمَمَ ثُمَّ يُبِيدُهَا. يُوَسِّعُ لِلأُمَمِ ثُمَّ يُشَتِّتُها يَنْزِعُ عُقُولَ رُؤَسَاءِ شَعْبِ الأَرْضِ وَيُضِلُّهُمْ فِي تِيهٍ بِلاَ طَرِيقٍ يَتَلَمَّسُونَ فِي الظَّلاَمِ وَلَيْسَ نُورٌ وَيُرَنِّحُهُمْ مِثْلَ السَّكْرَانِ هَذَا كُلُّهُ رَأَتْهُ عَيْنِي. سَمِعَتْهُ أُذُنِي وَفَطِنَتْ بِهِ مَا تَعْرِفُونَهُ عَرَفْتُهُ أَنَا أَيْضاً. لَسْتُ دُونَكُمْ وَلَكِنِّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُكَلِّمَ الْقَدِيرَ وَأَنْ أُحَاكَمَ إِلَى اللهِ أَمَّا أَنْتُمْ فَمُلَفِّقُو كَذِبٍ. أَطِبَّاءُ بَطَّالُونَ كُلُّكُمْ لَيْتَكُمْ تَصْمُتُونَ صَمْتاً. يَكُونُ ذَلِكَ لَكُمْ حِكْمَةً اِسْمَعُوا الآنَ حُجَّتِي وَاصْغُوا إِلَى دَعَاوِي شَفَتَيَّ أَتَقُولُونَ لأَجْلِ اللهِ ظُلْماً وَتَتَكَلَّمُونَ بِغِشٍّ لأَجْلِهِ؟ أَتُحَابُونَ وَجْهَهُ أَمْ عَنِ اللهِ تُخَاصِمُونَ؟ أَخَيْرٌ لَكُمْ أَنْ يَفْحَصَكُمْ أَمْ تُخَاتِلُونَهُ كَمَا يُخَاتَلُ الإِنْسَانُ؟ تَوْبِيخاً يُوَبِّخُكُمْ إِنْ حَابَيْتُمُ الْوُجُوهَ خِفْيَةً فَهَلاَّ يُرْهِبُكُمْ جَلاَلُهُ وَيَسْقُطُ عَلَيْكُمْ رُعْبُهُ! خُطَبُكُمْ أَمْثَالُ رَمَادٍ وَحُصُونُكُمْ حُصُونٌ مِنْ طِينٍ! اُسْكُتُوا عَنِّي فَأَتَكَلَّمَ أَنَا وَلْيُصِبْنِي مَهْمَا أَصَابَ لِمَاذَا آخُذُ لَحْمِي بِأَسْنَانِي وَأَضَعُ نَفْسِي فِي كَفِّي؟ هُوَذَا يَقْتُلُنِي. لاَ أَنْتَظِرُ شَيْئاً. فَقَطْ أُزَكِّي طَرِيقِي قُدَّامَهُ فَهَذَا يَعُودُ إِلَى خَلاَصِي أَنَّ الْفَاجِرَ لاَ يَأْتِي قُدَّامَهُ سَمْعاً اسْمَعُوا أَقْوَالِي وَتَصْرِيحِي بِمَسَامِعِكُمْ هَئَنَذَا قَدْ أَحْسَنْتُ الدَّعْوَى. أَعْلَمُ أَنِّي أَتَبَرَّرُ مَنْ هُوَ الَّذِي يُخَاصِمُنِي حَتَّى أَصْمُتَ الآنَ وَأُسْلِمَ الرُّوحَ؟ إِنَّمَا أَمْرَيْنِ لاَ تَفْعَلْ بِي فَحِينَئِذٍ لاَ أَخْتَفِي مِنْ حَضْرَتِكَ أَبْعِدْ يَدَيْكَ عَنِّي وَلاَ تَدَعْ هَيْبَتَكَ تُرْعِبُنِي ثُمَّ ادْعُ فَأَنَا أُجِيبُ أَوْ أَتَكَلَّمُ فَتُجَاوِبُنِي. كَمْ لِي مِنَ الآثَامِ وَالْخَطَايَا؟ أَعْلِمْنِي ذَنْبِي وَخَطِيَّتِي. لِمَاذَا تَحْجُبُ وَجْهَكَ، وَتَحْسِبُنِي عَدُوًّا لَكَ؟ أَتُرْعِبُ وَرَقَةً مُنْدَفَعَةً، وَتُطَارِدُ قَشًّا يَابِسًا؟ لأَنَّكَ كَتَبْتَ عَلَيَّ أُمُورًا مُرَّةً، وَوَرَّثْتَنِي آثَامَ صِبَايَ، فَجَعَلْتَ رِجْلَيَّ فِي الْمِقْطَرَةِ، وَلاَحَظْتَ جَمِيعَ مَسَالِكِي، وَعَلَى أُصُولِ رِجْلَيَّ نَبَشْتَ. وَأَنَا كَمُتَسَوِّسٍ يَبْلَى، كَثَوْبٍ أَكَلَهُ الْعُثُّ. اَلإِنْسَانُ مَوْلُودُ الْمَرْأَةِ، قَلِيلُ الأَيَّامِ وَشَبْعَانُ تَعَبًا. يَخْرُجُ كَالزَّهْرِ ثُمَّ يَنْحَسِمُ وَيَبْرَحُ كَالظِّلِّ وَلاَ يَقِفُ. فَعَلَى مِثْلِ هذَا حَدَّقْتَ عَيْنَيْكَ، وَإِيَّايَ أَحْضَرْتَ إِلَى الْمُحَاكَمَةِ مَعَكَ. مَنْ يُخْرِجُ الطَّاهِرَ مِنَ النَّجِسِ؟ لاَ أَحَدٌ! إِنْ كَانَتْ أَيَّامُهُ مَحْدُودَةً، وَعَدَدُ أَشْهُرِهِ عِنْدَكَ، وَقَدْ عَيَّنْتَ أَجَلَهُ فَلاَ يَتَجَاوَزُهُ، فَأَقْصِرْ عَنْهُ لِيَسْتَرِيحْ، إِلَى أَنْ يُسَرَّ كَالأَجِيرِ بِانْتِهَاءِ يَوْمِهِ. لأَنَّ لِلشَّجَرَةِ رَجَاءً. إِنْ قُطِعَتْ تُخْلِفْ أَيْضًا وَلاَ تُعْدَمُ خَرَاعِيبُهَا. وَلَوْ قَدُمَ فِي الأَرْضِ أَصْلُهَا، وَمَاتَ فِي التُّرَابِ جِذْعُهَا، فَمِنْ رَائِحَةِ الْمَاءِ تُفْرِخُ وَتُنْبِتُ فُرُوعًا كَالْغِرْسِ. أَمَّا الرَّجُلُ فَيَمُوتُ وَيَبْلَى. الإِنْسَانُ يُسْلِمُ الرُّوحَ، فَأَيْنَ هُوَ؟ قَدْ تَنْفَدُ الْمِيَاهُ مِنَ الْبَحْرَةِ، وَالنَّهْرُ يَنْشَفُ وَيَجِفُّ، وَالإِنْسَانُ يَضْطَجِعُ وَلاَ يَقُومُ. لاَ يَسْتَيْقِظُونَ حَتَّى لاَ تَبْقَى السَّمَاوَاتُ، وَلاَ يَنْتَبِهُونَ مِنْ نَوْمِهِمْ. لَيْتَكَ تُوارِينِي فِي الْهَاوِيَةِ، وَتُخْفِينِي إِلَى أَنْ يَنْصَرِفَ غَضَبُكَ، وَتُعَيِّنُ لِي أَجَلاً فَتَذْكُرَنِي. إِنْ مَاتَ رَجُلٌ أَفَيَحْيَا؟ كُلَّ أَيَّامِ جِهَادِي أَصْبِرُ إِلَى أَنْ يَأْتِيَ بَدَلِي. تَدْعُو فَأَنَا أُجِيبُكَ. تَشْتَاقُ إِلَى عَمَلِ يَدِكَ. أَمَّا الآنَ فَتُحْصِي خَطَوَاتِي، أَلاَ تُحَافِظُ عَلَى خَطِيَّتِي! مَعْصِيَتِي مَخْتُومٌ عَلَيْهَا فِي صُرَّةٍ، وَتُلَفِّقُ عَلَيَّ فَوْقَ إِثْمِي. إِنَّ الْجَبَلَ السَّاقِطَ يَنْتَثِرُ، وَالصَّخْرَ يُزَحْزَحُ مِنْ مَكَانِهِ. الْحِجَارَةُ تَبْلِيهَا الْمِيَاهُ وَتَجْرُفُ سُيُولُهَا تُرَابَ الأَرْضِ، وَكَذلِكَ أَنْتَ تُبِيدُ رَجَاءَ الإِنْسَانِ. تَتَجَبَّرُ عَلَيْهِ أَبَدًا فَيَذْهَبُ. تُغَيِّرُ وَجْهَهُ وَتَطْرُدُهُ. يُكْرَمُ بَنُوهُ وَلاَ يَعْلَمُ، أَوْ يَصْغِرُونَ وَلاَ يَفْهَمُ بِهِمْ. إِنَّمَا عَلَى ذَاتِهِ يَتَوَجَّعُ لَحْمُهُ وَعَلَى ذَاتِهَا تَنُوحُ نَفْسُهُ. مَجْدَاً لِلثَالُوث الأَقَدَسْ.

A psalm of David

مزمور لداود

26:5

٢٦ : ٥

*One thing have I asked of the Lord, this will I earnestly seek: that I should dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life. Alleluia.

وَاحِدَةً سَأَلْتُ مِنَ الرَّبِّ وَإِيَّاهَا أَلْتَمِسُ. أَنْ أَسْكُنَ فِي بَيْتِ الرَّبِّ جَمِيعَ أَيَّامِ حَيَاتِي. هَلِّلُويَا.

The Gospel according to Saint Luke

الإنجيل من لوقا

13:18-22

١٣ : ١٨ − ٢٢

*He said therefore: To what is the kingdom of God like, and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and cast into his garden, and it grew and became a great tree, and the birds of the air lodged in the branches thereof. And again he said: Whereunto shall I esteem the kingdom of God to be like? It is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. And he went through the cities and towns teaching, and making his journey to Jerusalem. Glory be to God forever.

فَقَالَ: "مَاذَا يُشْبِهُ مَلَكُوتُ اللهِ وَبِمَاذَا أُشَبِّهُهُ؟ يُشْبِهُ حَبَّةَ خَرْدَلٍ أَخَذَهَا إِنْسَانٌ وَأَلْقَاهَا فِي بُسْتَانِهِ فَنَمَتْ وَصَارَتْ شَجَرَةً كَبِيرَةً وَتَآوَتْ طُيُورُ السَّمَاءِ فِي أَغْصَانِهَا" وَقَالَ أَيْضاً: "بِمَاذَا أُشَبِّهُ مَلَكُوتَ اللهِ؟ يُشْبِهُ خَمِيرَةً أَخَذَتْهَا امْرَأَةٌ وَخَبَّأَتْهَا فِي ثَلاَثَةِ أَكْيَالِ دَقِيقٍ حَتَّى اخْتَمَرَ الْجَمِيعُ" وَاجْتَازَ فِي مُدُنٍ وَقُرًى يُعَلِّمُ وَيُسَافِرُ نَحْوَ أُورُشَلِيمَ. وَالْمَجْدُ لِلَّهِ دَائِماً.

The Pauline Epistle from Colossians

البولس من تسالونيكي الثانية

2:9-17

٢ : ٩ − ١٧

*Whose coming is according to the working of Satan, in all power, and signs, and lying wonders, And in all seduction of iniquity to them that perish; because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Therefore God shall send them the operation of error, to believe lying: That all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but have consented to iniquity. But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved of God, for that God hath chosen you firstfruits unto salvation, in sanctification of the spirit, and faith of the truth: Whereunto also he hath called you by our gospel, unto the purchasing of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God and our Father, who hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation, and good hope in grace, Exhort your hearts, and confirm you in every good work and word. The grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen.

الَّذِي مَجِيئُهُ بِعَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ، بِكُلِّ قُوَّةٍ، وَبِآيَاتٍ وَعَجَائِبَ كَاذِبَةٍ، وَبِكُلِّ خَدِيعَةِ الإِثْمِ، فِي الْهَالِكِينَ، لأَنَّهُمْ لَمْ يَقْبَلُوا مَحَبَّةَ الْحَقِّ حَتَّى يَخْلُصُوا وَلأَجْلِ هَذَا سَيُرْسِلُ إِلَيْهِمُ اللهُ عَمَلَ الضَّلاَلِ، حَتَّى يُصَدِّقُوا الْكَذِبَ، لِكَيْ يُدَانَ جَمِيعُ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُصَدِّقُوا الْحَقَّ، بَلْ سُرُّوا بِالإِثْمِ وَأَمَّا نَحْنُ فَيَنْبَغِي لَنَا أَنْ نَشْكُرَ اللهَ كُلَّ حِينٍ لأَجْلِكُمْ أَيُّهَا الإِخْوَةُ الْمَحْبُوبُونَ مِنَ الرَّبِّ، أَنَّ اللهَ اخْتَارَكُمْ مِنَ الْبَدْءِ لِلْخَلاَصِ، بِتَقْدِيسِ الرُّوحِ وَتَصْدِيقِ الْحَقِّ الأَمْرُ الَّذِي دَعَاكُمْ إِلَيْهِ بِإِنْجِيلِنَا، لاِقْتِنَاءِ مَجْدِ رَبِّنَا يَسُوعَ الْمَسِيحِ فَاثْبُتُوا إِذاً أَيُّهَا الإِخْوَةُ وَتَمَسَّكُوا بِالتَّعَالِيمِ الَّتِي تَعَلَّمْتُمُوهَا، سَوَاءٌ كَانَ بِالْكَلاَمِ أَمْ بِرِسَالَتِنَا وَرَبُّنَا نَفْسُهُ يَسُوعُ الْمَسِيحُ، وَاللهُ أَبُونَا الَّذِي أَحَبَّنَا وَأَعْطَانَا عَزَاءً أَبَدِيّاً وَرَجَاءً صَالِحاً بِالنِّعْمَةِ، يُعَزِّي قُلُوبَكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتُكُمْ فِي كُلِّ كَلاَمٍ وَعَمَلٍ صَالِحٍ. نعمةُ اللَّهِ الآبِ فَلْتَحِلَّ عَلَى أرواحِنا يا آبائي وإخْوَتي. آمين.

The Catholic Epistle from 2 Peter

الكاثوليكون من بطرس الثانية

2:9-15

٢ : ٩ − ١٥

*The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly from temptation, but to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be tormented. And especially them who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government, audacious, self willed, they fear not to bring in sects, blaspheming. Whereas angels who are greater in strength and power, bring not against themselves a railing judgment. But these men, as irrational beasts, naturally tending to the snare and to destruction, blaspheming those things which they know not, shall perish in their corruption, Receiving the reward of their injustice, counting for a pleasure the delights of a day: stains and spots, sporting themselves to excess, rioting in their feasts with you: Having eyes full of adultery and of sin that ceaseth not: alluring unstable souls, having their heart exercised with covetousness, children of malediction: Leaving the right way they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam of Bosor, who loved the wages of iniquity, Do not love the world or the things in the world. The world passes away, and its desires; but he who does the will of God abides forever. Amen.

يَعْلَمُ الرَّبُّ أَنْ يُنْقِذَ الأَتْقِيَاءَ مِنَ التَّجْرِبَةِ وَيَحْفَظَ الأَثَمَةَ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ مُعَاقَبِينَ، وَلاَ سِيَّمَا الَّذِينَ يَذْهَبُونَ وَرَاءَ الْجَسَدِ فِي شَهْوَةِ النَّجَاسَةِ، وَيَسْتَهِينُونَ بِالسِّيَادَةِ. جَسُورُونَ، مُعْجِبُونَ بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ، لاَ يَرْتَعِبُونَ أَنْ يَفْتَرُوا عَلَى ذَوِي الأَمْجَادِ حَيْثُ مَلاَئِكَةٌ، وَهُمْ أَعْظَمُ قُوَّةً وَقُدْرَةً - لاَ يُقَدِّمُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ لَدَى الرَّبِّ حُكْمَ افْتِرَاءٍ أَمَّا هَؤُلاَءِ فَكَحَيَوَانَاتٍ غَيْرِ نَاطِقَةٍ، طَبِيعِيَّةٍ، مَوْلُودَةٍ لِلصَّيْدِ وَالْهَلاَكِ، يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى مَا يَجْهَلُونَ، فَسَيَهْلِكُونَ فِي فَسَادِهِمْ آخِذِينَ أُجْرَةَ الإِثْمِ. الَّذِينَ يَحْسِبُونَ تَنَعُّمَ يَوْمٍ لَذَّةً. أَدْنَاسٌ وَعُيُوبٌ، يَتَنَعَّمُونَ فِي غُرُورِهِمْ صَانِعِينَ وَلاَئِمَ مَعَكُمْ لَهُمْ عُيُونٌ مَمْلُوَّةٌ فِسْقاً لاَ تَكُفُّ عَنِ الْخَطِيَّةِ، خَادِعُونَ النُّفُوسَ غَيْرَ الثَّابِتَةِ. لَهُمْ قَلْبٌ مُتَدَرِّبٌ فِي الطَّمَعِ. أَوْلاَدُ اللَّعْنَةِ قَدْ تَرَكُوا الطَّرِيقَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ، فَضَلُّوا تَابِعِينَ طَرِيقَ بَلْعَامَ بْنِ بَصُورَ الَّذِي أَحَبَّ أُجْرَةَ الإِثْمِ. لا تُحِبُّوا العَالَمَ ولا الأشْيَاءَ التي في العَالَمِ، لأنَّ العَالَمَ يمْضِي وَشَهْوَتُهُ مَعَهُ، وأمَّا مَنْ يَعملُ مَشِيئَةَ اللهِ فإنه يَثْبُتُ إلى الأبدِ. آمين.

Praxis

الإبركسيس

28:7-11

٢٨ : ٧ − ١١

*Now in these places were possessions of the chief man of the island, named Publius, who receiving us, for three days entertained us courteously. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever, and of a bloody flux. To whom Paul entered in; and when he had prayed, and laid his hands on him, he healed him. Which being done, all that had diseases in the island, came and were healed: Who also honoured us with many honours, and when we were to set sail, they laded us with such things as were necessary. And after three months, we sailed in a ship of Alexandria, that had wintered in the island, whose sign was the Castors. The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed, in the holy Church of God. Amen.

وَكَانَ فِي مَا حَوْلَ ذَلِكَ الْمَوْضِعِ ضِيَاعٌ لِمُقَدَّمِ الْجَزِيرَةِ الَّذِي اسْمُهُ بُوبْلِيُوسُ. فَهَذَا قَبِلَنَا وَأَضَافَنَا بِمُلاَطَفَةٍ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ فَحَدَثَ أَنَّ أَبَا بُوبْلِيُوسَ كَانَ مُضْطَجِعاً مُعْتَرًى بِحُمَّى وَسَحْجٍ. فَدَخَلَ إِلَيْهِ بُولُسُ وَصَلَّى وَوَضَعَ يَدَيْهِ عَلَيْهِ فَشَفَاهُ فَلَمَّا صَارَ هَذَا كَانَ الْبَاقُونَ الَّذِينَ بِهِمْ أَمْرَاضٌ فِي الْجَزِيرَةِ يَأْتُونَ وَيُشْفَوْنَ فَأَكْرَمَنَا هَؤُلاَءِ إِكْرَامَاتٍ كَثِيرَةً. وَلَمَّا أَقْلَعْنَا زَوَّدُونَا بِمَا يُحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ وَبَعْدَ ثَلاَثَةِ أَشْهُرٍ أَقْلَعْنَا فِي سَفِينَةٍ إِسْكَنْدَرِيَّةٍ مَوْسُومَةٍ بِعَلاَمَةِ الْجَوْزَاءِ كَانَتْ قَدْ شَتَتْ فِي الْجَزِيرَةِ. لَمْ تَزَلْ كَلِمَةُ الرَّبِّ تَنْمُو وتَكْثُرُ وتَعْتَزُّ وتَثْبُتُ، في بِيعَةِ اللَّهِ الْمُقَدَّسَةِ. آمين.

A psalm of David

مزمور لداود

26:10,11

٢٦ : ١٠، ١١

*Hear, O Lord, my voice which I have uttered aloud: pity me, and hearken to me. My heart said to thee. Alleluia.

اِسْتَمِعْ يَا رَبُّ صَوْتِي الَّذِي بِهِ دَعَوْتُكَ. ارْحَمْنِي وَاسْتَجِبْ لِي فَانَّ لَكَ قَالَ قَلْبِي: هَلِّلُويَا.

The Gospel according to Saint Luke

الإنجيل من لوقا

4:1-13

٤ : ١ − ١٣

*And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the desert, For the space of forty days; and was tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry. And the devil said to him: If thou be the Son of God, say to this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him: It is written, that Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word of God. And the devil led him into a high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time; And he said to him: To thee will I give all this power, and the glory of them; for to me they are delivered, and to whom I will, I give them. If thou therefore wilt adore before me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answering said to him: It is written: Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and he said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself from hence. For it is written, that He hath given his angels charge over thee, that they keep thee. And that in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. And all the temptation being ended, the devil departed from him for a time. Glory be to God forever.

أَمَّا يَسُوعُ فَرَجَعَ مِنَ الأُرْدُنِّ مُمْتَلِئاً مِنَ الرُّوحِ الْقُدُسِ وَكَانَ يُقْتَادُ بِالرُّوحِ فِي الْبَرِّيَّةِ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً يُجَرَّبُ مِنْ إِبْلِيسَ. وَلَمْ يَأْكُلْ شَيْئاً فِي تِلْكَ الأَيَّامِ. وَلَمَّا تَمَّتْ جَاعَ أَخِيراً وَقَالَ لَهُ إِبْلِيسُ: "إِنْ كُنْتَ ابْنَ اللهِ فَقُلْ لِهَذَا الْحَجَرِ أَنْ يَصِيرَ خُبْزاً" فَأَجَابَهُ يَسُوعُ: "مَكْتُوبٌ أَنْ لَيْسَ بِالْخُبْزِ وَحْدَهُ يَحْيَا الإِنْسَانُ بَلْ بِكُلِّ كَلِمَةٍ مِنَ اللهِ" ثُمَّ أَصْعَدَهُ إِبْلِيسُ إِلَى جَبَلٍ عَالٍ وَأَرَاهُ جَمِيعَ مَمَالِكِ الْمَسْكُونَةِ فِي لَحْظَةٍ مِنَ الزَّمَانِ وَقَالَ لَهُ إِبْلِيسُ: "لَكَ أُعْطِي هَذَا السُّلْطَانَ كُلَّهُ وَمَجْدَهُنَّ لأَنَّهُ إِلَيَّ قَدْ دُفِعَ وَأَنَا أُعْطِيهِ لِمَنْ أُرِيدُ فَإِنْ سَجَدْتَ أَمَامِي يَكُونُ لَكَ الْجَمِيعُ" فَأَجَابَهُ يَسُوعُ: "اذْهَبْ يَا شَيْطَانُ! إِنَّهُ مَكْتُوبٌ: لِلرَّبِّ إِلَهِكَ تَسْجُدُ وَإِيَّاهُ وَحْدَهُ تَعْبُدُ" ثُمَّ جَاءَ بِهِ إِلَى أُورُشَلِيمَ وَأَقَامَهُ عَلَى جَنَاحِ الْهَيْكَلِ وَقَالَ لَهُ: "إِنْ كُنْتَ ابْنَ اللهِ فَاطْرَحْ نَفْسَكَ مِنْ هُنَا إِلَى أَسْفَلَ لأَنَّهُ مَكْتُوبٌ: أَنَّهُ يُوصِي مَلاَئِكَتَهُ بِكَ لِكَيْ يَحْفَظُوكَ وَأَنَّهُمْ عَلَى أَيَادِيهِمْ يَحْمِلُونَكَ لِكَيْ لاَ تَصْدِمَ بِحَجَرٍ رِجْلَكَ" فَأَجَابَ يَسُوعُ: "إِنَّهُ قِيلَ: لاَ تُجَرِّبِ الرَّبَّ إِلَهَكَ" وَلَمَّا أَكْمَلَ إِبْلِيسُ كُلَّ تَجْرِبَةٍ فَارَقَهُ إِلَى حِينٍ. وَالْمَجْدُ لِلَّهِ دَائِماً.