The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever. He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless. Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. My son, if your heart is wise,
then my heart will be glad indeed. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken. Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior. I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke? Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.