A reading from the book of wisdom.

The wicked said among themselves, thinking not a right,

Let us beset the just one because he is obnoxious to us.

He sets himself against our doings. He reproaches us for transgressions of the law

and charges us with violations of our training. He professes to have knowledge of God and stows himself

a child of the Lord. To us he is the censor of our thoughts, merely to see him as a hardship

for us, because his life is not like that of others, and different are his ways. He judges us

debased. He holds aloft from our paths as from things impure. He calls bless the destiny of the just and boast that God

is his father. Let us see whether his words be true. Let us find out what will happen to him.

For if the just one be the son of God, he will defend him and deliver him from the hand

of his foes.

With revilement and torture, let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness

and try his patience.

Let us condemn him to a shameful death, for according to his own words, God will take care of him.

These were their thoughts, but they erred. For their wickedness blinded them, for they knew not

the hidden counsels of God, neither did they count on the recompense of holiness,

nor discern the innocent soul's reward.

The word of the Lord.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

The Lord confronts evildoers to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.

When the just cry out, the Lord hears them.

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