September 23, 2004.

Memorial of St. Pius of Pietralcina, priest.

A reading from the book of Proverbs.

Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim

when it is in your power to do it for him.

Say not to your neighbor,

go and come again,

tomorrow I will give,

when you can give at once.

Plot no evil against your neighbor

against one who lives at peace with you.

Quarrel not with a man

without cause with one who has done you no harm.

Envy not the lawless man and choose none of his ways.

To the Lord, the perverse one is an abomination, but with the upright is his friendship.

The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,

but the dwelling of the just he blesses.

When dealing with the arrogant, he is stern,

but to the humble he shows kindness.

The word of the Lord.

The responsorial psalm.

The response is,

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