Daily Reading for Saturday, August 17th, 2024

Reading 1, Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13, 30-32

¹ The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,

² 'Why do you keep repeating this proverb in the land of Israel: The parents have eaten unripe grapes; and the children's teeth are set on edge?

³ 'As I live -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- you will have no further cause to repeat this proverb in Israel.

⁴ Look, all life belongs to me; the father's life and the son's life, both alike belong to me. The one who has sinned is the one to die.

⁵ 'But if a man is upright, his actions law-abiding and upright,

⁶ and he does not eat on the mountains or raise his eyes to the foul idols of the House of Israel, does not defile his neighbour's wife or touch a woman during her periods,

⁷ oppresses no one, returns the pledge on a debt, does not rob, gives his own food to the hungry, his clothes to those who lack clothing,

⁸ does not lend for profit, does not charge interest, abstains from evil, gives honest judgement between one person and another,

⁹ keeps my laws and sincerely respects my judgements -- someone like this is truly upright and will live -- declares the Lord Yahweh.

¹⁰ 'But if he has a son prone to violence and bloodshed, who commits one of these misdeeds-

¹³ lends for profit, or charges interest, such a person will by no means live; having committed all these appalling crimes he will die, and his blood be on his own head.

³⁰ So in future, House of Israel, I shall judge each of you by what that person does -- declares the Lord Yahweh. Repent, renounce all your crimes, avoid all occasions for guilt.

³¹ Shake off all the crimes you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why die, House of Israel?

³² I take no pleasure in the death of anyone -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- so repent and live!'

Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19

¹² Give me back the joy of your salvation, sustain in me a generous spirit.

¹³ I shall teach the wicked your paths, and sinners will return to you.

¹⁴ Deliver me from bloodshed, God, God of my salvation, and my tongue will acclaim your saving justice.

¹⁵ Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will speak out your praise.

¹⁸ In your graciousness do good to Zion, rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

¹⁹ Then you will delight in upright sacrifices,-burnt offerings and whole oblations -- and young bulls will be offered on your altar.

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