A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. Thus, says the Lord, in a time of favor, I answer you.

In a day of salvation, I help you. In the day of salvation, I help you.

I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people to restore the land

and allot the desolate heritages.

Saying to the prisoners, come out, to those in darkness, show yourselves.

Along the ways they shall find pasture, on every bare heights

shall their pastures be. They shall not hunger or thirst, nor shall the scorching wind of or the

sun strike them. He who pities them, leads them, and guides them beside springs of water.

I will cut a road through all my mountains and make my

highways level. See, some shall come from afar, others from the north and the west, and some from

the land of sign. Sing out, O heavens, and earth, rejoice, O earth. Break forth into song, you mountains. For the Lord

comforts his people and shows mercy to the afflicted. But Zion said, the Lord has forsaken me.

My Lord has forgotten me. Can a mother forget her infant?

Be without tenderness for the child of her womb.

Even should she forget, I will never forget you.

The word of the Lord.

The Lord is gracious and merciful. The Lord is gracious and merciful the Lord is gracious and merciful the Lord is gracious and merciful

the Lord is gracious and merciful slow to anger and of great kindness the Lord is good to all

and compassionate toward all his works the Lord is gracious and merciful the Lord is faithful in all his words and holy in all his works.

The Lord lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.

The Lord is gracious and merciful.

The Lord is just in all his ways and holy in all his works.

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