Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

1Verse 1. Hear now what the LORD says: “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. 2Verse 2. Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s indictment, you enduring foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against His people, and He will argue it against Israel: 3Verse 3. ‘My people, what have I done to you? Testify against Me how I have wearied you! 4Verse 4. For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery. I sent Moses before you, as well as Aaron and Miriam. 5Verse 5. My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’” 6Verse 6. With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? 7Verse 7. Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8Verse 8. He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

18Verse 18. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19Verse 19. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20Verse 20. Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21Verse 21. For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Verse 22. Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, 23Verse 23. but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24Verse 24. but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25Verse 25. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 26Verse 26. Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. 27Verse 27. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28Verse 28. He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, 29Verse 29. so that no one may boast in His presence. 30Verse 30. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. 31Verse 31. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

1Verse 1. When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain and sat down. His disciples came to Him, 2Verse 2. and He began to teach them, saying: 3Verse 3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Verse 4. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Verse 5. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Verse 6. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7Verse 7. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8Verse 8. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Verse 9. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10Verse 10. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Verse 11. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12Verse 12. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.