The righteous live forever, and their reward is with the Lord; the Most High takes care of them. Therefore they will receive a glorious crown and a beautiful diadem from the hand of the Lord, because with his right hand he will cover them, and with his arm he will shield them. The Lord will take his zeal as his whole armour, and will arm all creation to repel his enemies; he will put on righteousness as a breastplate, and wear impartial justice as a helmet; he will take holiness as an invincible shield, and sharpen stern wrath for a sword, and creation will join with him to fight against his frenzied foes.
This is the word of the Lord. Wisdom 5. 15-20
R | Blessèd be the Lord my rock! [my stronghold and my deliverer]. |
Bow your heavens, O Lord, and come down;
touch the mountains and they shall smoke.
Stretch out your hand from on high;
rescue me and deliver me from the great waters. R
O God, I will sing to you a new song;
I will play to you on a ten-stringed lyre.
You give victory to kings
and have rescued David your servant. R
Rescue me from the hurtful sword
and deliver me from the hand of foreign peoples,
whose mouths speak deceitfully
and whose right hand is raised in falsehood. R
Happy are the people of whom this is so:
happy are the people whose God is the Lord! R From Psalm 144
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker.
Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. For the time has come for judgement to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?" Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God's will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.
This is the word of the Lord. 1 Peter 4. 12-19
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.Jesus's disciples said, "Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God." Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!"
This is the gospel of Christ. John 16. 29-33