July 1, 2004, Monday of the 13th week in ordinary time.

A reading from the book of the prophet Amos.

Thus says the Lord,

For three crimes of Israel and for four, I will not revoke my word,

because they sell the just man for silver and the poor man for a pair of sandals.

They trample the heads of the weak into the dust of the earth and force the lowly out of the way.

Son and father go to the same prostitute, profaning my holy name.

Upon garments taken in pledge they recline beside my altar.

And the wine of those who have been fine they drink in the house of their god.

Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorites before them, who were as tall as the cedars and as strong as the oak trees.

I destroyed their fruit above, and their roots beneath. It was I who brought you up from

a land of Egypt, and who led you through the desert for forty years to occupy the land of the

Amorites. Beware, I will crush you into the ground

as a wagon crushes when laden with sheaves. Flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong

man shall not retain his strength. The warrior shall not save his life, nor the bowman stand his ground. The swift

of foot shall not escape, nor the horsemen save his life. And the most outhearted of warriors

shall flee naked on that day, says the Lord. The word of the Lord. The responsorial Psalm, the response is, remember this,

you who never think of God. Why do you recite my statutes and profess my covenant with your mouth,

though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you.

Remember this, you who never think of God.

When you see a thief, you keep pace with him, and with adulterers you throw in your lot.

To your mouth you give free reign for evil.

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