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HomeYearly PlanBible in a Year - December - 15 | Day - 349

Bible in a Year – December – 15 | Day – 349

This is not the Readings at the Mass. For the Mass Readings, check the Mass Readings taken from the New Jerusalem Bible or the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible.
December – 15 | Day – 349
Old Testament: Sirach – 21-22 | Second Maccabees – 7:1-17

1 Son, have you sinned? You should not add further sins. Then too, for your former sins, pray so that they may be forgiven you.

2 Flee from sins, as if from the face of a serpent. For if you approach them, they will take hold of you.

3 Their teeth are like the teeth of a lion, bringing death to the souls of men.

4 All iniquity is like a two-edged spear; there is no healing in its wound.

5 Reproach and injury will make resources useless. And a house that is exceedingly wealthy will become powerless through pride. In this way, the resources of the arrogant will be eradicated.

6 Supplications from the mouth of the pauper will reach all the way to the ears of God, and judgment will come to him quickly.

7 Whoever hates correction is walking in the steps of a sinner. But whoever fears God will convert within his heart.

8 He who has power by means of a bold tongue will be known from far away. But an understanding man knows to slip past him.

9 Whoever builds his house, paid for by another, is like one who gathers his building stones in winter.

10 The synagogue of sinners is like stubble piled up; for the end of them both is a burning fire.

11 The way of sinners is paved and level, and at their end is hell and darkness and punishments.

12 Whoever observes justice will obtain an understanding of it.

13 The consummation of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding.

14 One who is not wise in goodness will not accept instruction.

15 Now there is a wisdom which abounds in evil. But there is no understanding where there is bitterness.

16 The knowledge of the wise will increase like a flood, and his counsel will continue like a fountain of life.

17 The heart of the foolish is like a broken vessel, for it will not hold any wisdom.

18 A knowledgeable man will praise any wise word he hears, and he will apply it to himself. The self-indulgent man has heard it, and it displeases him, and so he casts it behind his back.

19 The talk of the foolish is like a burden on a journey. But in the lips of the understanding, grace will be found.

20 The mouth of the prudent is sought in the Church, and they will consider his words in their hearts.

21 Like a house which has been demolished, so is wisdom to the foolish. And the knowledge of the unwise is like meaningless words.

22 Doctrine to the senseless is like fetters on the feet, and like chains on the right hand.

23 A foolish man lifts up his voice in laughter. But a wise man will not even laugh quietly to himself.

24 Doctrine is to the prudent like a gold ornament, and like an armband on the right arm.

25 The feet of the foolish step easily into his neighbor’s house. But an experienced man will be apprehensive in the presence of the powerful.

26 A senseless man will gaze through a window into the house. But a man who has been well-taught will stand outside.

27 It is foolish for a man to listen through the door. And a prudent man will be grieved at this disgrace.

28 The lips of the imprudent will describe senseless things. But the words of the prudent will be weighed on a balance.

29 The hearts of the foolish are in their mouths. But the mouths of the wise are with their hearts.

30 Whenever the impious curse the devil, they curse their own soul.

31 Those who whisper accusations defile their own souls, and they will be hated by all. And whoever abides with them will be hateful. The silent and understanding man will be honored.

1 The lazy man is pelted with a dirty stone, and all will speak about his rejection.

2 The lazy man is pelted with the dung of oxen, and all who touch him will brush off their hands.

3 An undisciplined son is the shame of his father, but an undisciplined daughter will be to his degradation.

4 A prudent daughter brings an inheritance to her husband. But she who causes shame will be a disgrace to him who conceived her.

5 She who is bold shames her father and her husband, and she will not be less offensive to the impious. For she will be held in dishonor by both.

6 An untimely explanation is like music in a time of mourning. But the sharp correction and doctrine of wisdom are ever timely.

7 Whoever teaches the foolish is like someone who glues together a broken pot.

8 Whoever explains a word to one who is not listening is like someone who suddenly awakens a sleeping person from a deep sleep.

9 Whoever explains wisdom to the senseless is like one speaking to a sleeping person. And at the end of the explanation, he says: “Who is this?”

10 Weep over the dead, for his light has failed. And weep over the foolish, for his understanding has failed.

11 Weep only a little over the dead, for he is at rest.

12 But the wicked life of a wicked fool is worse than death.

13 The mourning for the dead is seven days; but for the foolish and the impious, it is all the days of their life.

14 You should not talk at length with the foolish, and you should not go with the senseless.

15 Keep yourself from him, so that you may not have problems, and so that you will not be polluted by his sin.

16 Turn away from him, and you will find rest, and you will not be discouraged by his foolishness.

17 What is heavier than lead? And what else can he be called but foolish?

18 Sand, and salt, and an iron weight are each easier to bear than an imprudent man, who is both foolish and impious.

19 A bundle of wood strapped together in the foundation of a building will not be loosened. And similar is the heart that has been strengthened by thoughtful counsel.

20 The thoughts of one who is understanding will not be corrupted by fear in any situation.

21 Just as chaff in a high place, or a wall made of mortar without stones set within, will not continue against the face of the wind,

22 so also a timid heart, and the thoughts of the senseless, will not withstand the forcefulness of fear.

23 Despite a cowardly heart, the thoughts of the foolish will not fear any situation; yet neither will one who continues always in the precepts of God.

24 He who jabs an eye produces tears. And he who jabs the heart produces understanding.

25 He who throws a stone at birds will drive them away. So also, he who accuses his friend dissolves the friendship.

26 But if you have drawn a sword against a friend, you should not despair; for there may be a way back.

27 If you have opened a harsh mouth against a friend, you should not fear; for there may be a reconciliation. However, if there are accusations, or abuse, or arrogance, or the revealing of secrets, or a wound from deceitfulness, in all these cases, a friend will flee away.

28 Hold to faithfulness with a friend in his poverty, so that you may also rejoice in his prosperity.

29 In the time of his tribulation, remain faithful to him, so that you may also be an heir with him in his inheritance.

30 Just as the steam from an oven, or the smoke from a fire, rises up before a flame, so also do curses and insults and threats rise up before bloodshed.

31 I shall not be ashamed to greet a friend, nor shall I hide myself from his face. And if misfortunes befall me because of him, I will endure.

32 Anyone who hears of this will be wary around him.

33 Who will provide a keeper for my mouth, and a reliable seal over my lips, so that I may not fall because of them, and so that my tongue does not destroy me?

&

1 And it happened also that seven brothers, united with their mother, were apprehended and compelled by the king to eat the flesh of swine against divine law, being tormented with scourges and whips.

2 But one of them, who was first, spoke in this way: “What would you ask, or what would you want to learn from us? We are ready to die, rather than to betray the laws that our fathers received from God.”

3 And so the king, being angry, ordered frying pans and bronze caldrons to be heated. When these were presently heated,

4 he ordered the tongue of him who had spoken first to be cut off, and, once the skin of his head had been pulled off, likewise his hands and feet to be cut off at the top, while the rest of his brothers and his mother were watching.

5 And when now he had been made helpless in all parts, he commanded him to be moved to the fire, and, while still breathing, to be fried in the frying pan. As he was suffering long torments therein, the rest, united with the mother, exhorted one another to die with fortitude,

6 saying: “The Lord God will perceive the truth, and he will be consoled in us, in the way that Moses declared in the profession of the canticle: ‘And in his servants, he will be consoled.’ “

7 And so, when the first had died in this way, they led in the next one, so as to ridicule him. And when the skin of his head was pulled off with the hair, they asked him if he would eat, instead of being punished throughout the whole body in every limb.

8 But responding in the language of his fathers, he said, “I will not do it.” Because of this, he also, in the next place, received the torments of the first.

9 And when he had reached his last breath, he spoke in this way: “You, indeed, O most wicked man, are destroying us in this present life. But the King of the world will raise us up, in eternal life at the resurrection, for we die on behalf of his laws.”

10 After this one, the third was ridiculed, and when he was asked, he quickly offered up his tongue, and he resolutely extended his hands.

11 And he said with confidence, “I possess these from heaven, but, because of the laws of God, I now despise them, for I hope to receive them again from him.”

12 So then, the king and those who were with him, wondered at the soul of this youth, because he considered the torments as if they were nothing.

13 And after he had died in this way, they afflicted the fourth with similar tortures.

14 And when he was about to die, he spoke in this way: “It is preferable, being put to death by men, to wait for hope from God, so as to be revived again by him. But the resurrection to life will not be for you.

15 And when they had brought the fifth, they afflicted him. But he, gazing at him,

16 said: “Having power among men, though you are corruptible, you do what you want, but do not think that our nation has been abandoned by God.

17 And so, wait patiently for a while, and you will see his great power, by the manner in which he will torture you and your offspring.”

Psalms: Psalms – 142

1 Of understanding for David. A prayer when he was in the cave. [1 Kings 24]

2 I cried to the Lord with my voice: with my voice I made supplication to the Lord.

3 In his sight I pour out my prayer, and before him I declare my trouble:

4 When my spirit failed me, then thou newest my paths. In this way wherein I walked, they have hidden a snare for me.

5 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, and there was no one that would know me. Flight hath failed me: and there is no one that hath regard to my soul.

6 I cried to thee, O Lord: I said: Thou art my hope, my portion in the land of the living.

7 Attend to my supplication: for I am brought very low. Deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

8 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the just wait for me, until thou reward me.

New Testament: Revelations – 2:14-29

14 But I have a few things against you. For you have, in that place, those who hold to the doctrine of Balaam, who instructed Balak to cast a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat and to commit fornication.

15 And you also have those who hold to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.

16 So do penance to the same extent. If you do less, I will come to you quickly and I will fight against these ones with the sword of my mouth.

17 Whoever has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches. To him who prevails, I will give the hidden manna. And I will give to him a white emblem, and on the emblem, a new name has been written, which no one knows, except the one who receives it.

18 And to the Angel of the Church of Thyatira write: Thus says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like shining brass.

19 I know your works, and your faith and charity, and your ministry and patient endurance, and that your more recent works are greater than the earlier ones.

20 But I have a few things against you. For you permit the woman Jezabel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants, to commit fornication and to eat the food of idolatry.

21 And I gave her a time, so that she might do penance, but she is not willing to repent from her fornication.

22 Behold, I will cast her onto a bed, and those who commit adultery with her shall be in a very great tribulation, unless they repent from their works.

23 And I will put her sons to death, and all the Churches shall know that I am the one who examines temperaments and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. But I say to you,

24 and to the others who are at Thyatira: Whoever does not hold to this doctrine, and who has not ‘known the depths of Satan,’ as they say, I will not set any other weight upon you.

25 Even so, that which you have, hold on to it until I return.

26 And whoever will prevail and will observe my works even unto the end, I will give to him authority over the nations.

27 And he shall rule them with an iron rod, and they shall be broken like the earthenware of a potter.

28 The same I also have received from my Father. And I will give to him the morning star.

29 Whoever has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.”

Simplest Bible in a Year plan compiled using the “Catholic Public Domain Version Bible“. This is not the Readings at the Mass. For the Mass Readings, check the Mass Readings taken from the New Jerusalem Bible or the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible.
Pradeep Augustine
Pradeep Augustinehttps://www.catholicgallery.org/
Pradeep Augustine is the founder of Catholic Gallery. He is a passionate Writer, An Artist, a computer geek and a part-time Blogger who loves to write a lot of contents on Catholicism in his free time. He is the founder of the Technical Blog www.GetCoolTricks.com, where he shares a lot of technical Contents. Stay connected with him on his social profiles.

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