August 2nd, 2004, Friday of the 17th week in ordinary time.

A reading from the book of the prophet Jeremiah.

In the beginning of the reign of Joachim, son of Josiah, king of Judah, this message came from the

Lord.

Thus says the Lord, stand in the court of the house of the Lord, and speak to the people of all

the cities of Judah who come to worship in the house of the Lord.

Whatever I command you, tell them, and omit nothing.

Perhaps they will listen and turn back, each from his evil way, so that I may repent of the evil I have planned to inflict upon

them for their evil deeds. Say to them, Thus says the Lord, if you disobey me, not living according

to the law I placed before you, and not listening to the words of my servants, the prophets,

whom I send you constantly, though you do not listening to the words of my servants the prophets whom I send you constantly,

though you do not obey them, I will treat this house like Shiloh, and make this the city

to which all the nations of the earth shall refer when cursing another.

Now the priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speak these words in the

house of the Lord.

When Jeremiah finished speaking, all that the Lord bade him speak to all the people, the

priests and prophets laid hold of him crying, You must be put to death.

Why do you prophesy in the name of the Lord? This house shall

be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate and deserted. And all the people gathered about Jeremiah

in the house of the Lord. The word of the Lord. The responseorial Psalm Psalm The response is

Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Those outnumber the hairs of my head

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