October 8th, 2003, 27th Sunday in ordinary time.

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Let me now sing of my friend, my friend's song concerning his vineyard.

My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside.

He spated it, cleared it of stones, and planted the choicest vines. Within it he built a watchtower and hewed out a wine press.

Then he looked for the crop of grapes, but what it yielded was wild grapes.

Now inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard.

What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done?

Why, when I look for the crop of grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes?

Now I will let you know what I mean to do with my vineyard.

Take away its hedge, give it to grazing, break through its wall, let it be trampled.

Yes, I will make it a ruin.

It shall not be pruned or hold, but overgrown with thorns and briars.

I will command the clouds not to send rain upon it.

The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel,

and the people of Judah are his cherished plant.

He looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed, for justice, but hark the outcry.

The Word of the Lord is the house of Israel.

The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

A vine from Egypt you transplanted,

you drove away the nations and planted it. It put forth its foliage to the sea.

It shoots as far as the river.

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