Bible Readings - Mar. 19, 2025

Reading I

Isaiah 1:21-28

How she has become a prostitute,

the faithful city, so upright!

Justice used to lodge within her,

but now, murderers.

Your silver is turned to dross,

your wine is mixed with water.

Your princes are rebels

and comrades of thieves;

Each one of them loves a bribe

and looks for gifts.

The fatherless they do not defend,

the widow’s plea does not reach them.

Now, therefore, says the Lord,

the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel:

Ah! I will take vengeance on my foes

and fully repay my enemies!

I will turn my hand against you,

and refine your dross in the furnace,

removing all your alloy.

I will restore your judges as at first,

and your counselors as in the beginning;

After that you shall be called

city of justice, faithful city.

Zion shall be redeemed by justice,

and her repentant ones by righteousness.

Rebels and sinners together shall be crushed,

those who desert the LORD shall be consumed.

Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29

The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;

through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness,

For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";

in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

"I have made a covenant with my chosen one,

I have sworn to David my servant:

Forever will I confirm your posterity

and establish your throne for all generations."

"He shall say of me, 'You are my father,

my God, the Rock, my savior.'

Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,

and my covenant with him stands firm."

Gospel

Matthew 23:13-22

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.

You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings.

You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance

to those trying to enter.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.

You traverse sea and land to make one convert,

and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna

twice as much as yourselves.

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears

by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears

by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’

Blind fools, which is greater, the gold,

or the temple that made the gold sacred?

And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing,

but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.’

You blind ones, which is greater, the gift,

or the altar that makes the gift sacred?

One who swears by the altar swears by it

and all that is upon it;

one who swears by the temple swears by it

and by him who dwells in it;

one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God

and by him who is seated on it.