The first reading is a reading from the book of the prophet Malachi.

Thus says the Lord God,

Thus says the Lord God,

Lo I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me,

and suddenly they will come to the temple,

the Lord whom you seek, and the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.

Yes, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.

But who will endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

For he is like a refiner's fire, or like a foolers lie. He will sit refining and purifying

silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like silver, that they

may offer due sacrifice to the Lord. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the Lord, as in the days of old, as in the years gone by.

Lo, I will send to you Elijah the prophet before the day of the Lord comes, that great and terrible day,

to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, the hearts of children's to their fathers,

lest I come and strike the land

with doom. The word of the Lord, thanks be to God. Lift up your heads and see your redemption is near at hand.

Lift up your heads and see your redemption is near at hand. Your ways,

O Lord, make known to me. Teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me. For you are God, my

Savior. Lift up your heads and see your redemption is near at hand. Good and upright is the Lord. Thus he shows

sinners the way. He guides the humble

to justice. He teaches the humble his way. Lift up your heads and see your redemption is near

in hand. All the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy toward those who keep his covenant

and decrees. The friendship of the Lord is with those who fear him

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