A reading from the book of the prophet Jeremiah.

I hear the whisperings of many. Terror on every side. Denounce, let us denounce him. All those who are my friends are on watch for any misstep of mine. Perhaps he will be trapped, then we can prevail and take our vengeance on

him. But the Lord is with me like a mighty champion. My persecutors will stumble. They will not triumph.

In their failure, they will be put to utter shame to lasting unforgettable confusion.

O Lord of hosts, you test the just.

You probe the mind and the heart.

Let me witness the vengeance you take on them.

For to you I have entrusted my cause.

Sing to the Lord, praise the Lord.

For he has rescued the life of the poor

from the power of the wicked.

The word of the Lord, thanks be to God.

In my distress, I called upon the Lord and he heard my voice. In my distress, I called upon the Lord and he heard my voice. I love you, Lord, O Lord, my strength. Oh, Lord, my rock and my fortress,

my deliverer. In my distress, I called upon the Lord, my rock, and my fortress, my deliverer.

In my distress, I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Praise be the Lord, I exclaim, and I am safe from my enemies.

And my distress, I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

The breakers of death surged around about me. The destroying floods overwhelm me, the cords of the

netherworld and meshed me. The snares of death overtook me. In my distress, I called upon the Lord,

and he heard my voice. And my distress, I called upon the Lord and he heard my voice. And my distress I called upon the Lord and cried out to my God.

From his temple he heard my voice and from and my cry to him reached his ears.

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