Verbum Diei
IObservantiæDies Hodierna
IIHoræ CanonicæOfficium Divinum
IIILectioJeremiah 26:11-16,24
A reading from the Book of Jeremiah
11And the priests and the prophets spoke to the princes, and to all the people, saying: The judgment of death is for this man: because he hath prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your ears.
12Then Jeremias spoke to all the princes, and to all the people, saying: The Lord sent me to prophesy concerning this house, and concerning this city all the words that you have heard.
13Now therefore amend your ways, and your doings, and hearken to the voice of the Lord your God: and the Lord will repent him of the evil that he hath spoken against you.
14But as for me, behold I am in your hands: do with me what is good and right in your eyes:
15But know ye, and understand, that if you put me to death, you will shed innocent blood against your own selves, and against this city, and the inhabitants thereof. For in truth the Lord sent me to you, to speak all these words in your hearing.
16Then the princes, and all the people said to the priests, and to the prophets: There is no judgment of death for this man: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.
24So the hand of Ahicam the son of Saphan was with Jeremias, that he should not be delivered into the hands of the people, to put him to death.
IVEvangeliumMatthew 14:1-12
From the Gospel according to Matthew
1At that time Herod the Tetrarch heard the fame of Jesus. Tetrarch... This word, derived from the Greek, signifies one that rules over the fourth part of a kingdom: as Herod then ruled over Galilee, which was but the fourth part of the kingdom of his father.
2And he said to his servants: This is John the Baptist: he is risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works shew forth themselves in him.
3For Herod had apprehended John and bound him, and put him into prison, because of Herodias, his brother's wife.
4For John said to him: It is not lawful for thee to have her.
5And having a mind to put him to death, he feared the people: because they esteemed him as a prophet.
6But on Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before them: and pleased Herod.
7Whereupon he promised with an oath, to give her whatsoever she would ask of him.
8But she being instructed before by her mother, said: Give me here in a dish the head of John the Baptist.
9And the king was struck sad: yet because of his oath, and for them that sat with him at table, he commanded it to be given.
10And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
11And his head was brought in a dish: and it was given to the damsel, and she brought it to her mother.
12And his disciples came and took the body, and buried it, and came and told Jesus.