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THE SONG OF TOBIT

¹ Blessèd be God who lives for ever:
blessèd be God who rules over all.
²We give thanks to you O Lord before the nations:
for you have scattered us among them.
³There we make your greatness known:
and exalt you in the presence of all the living,
⁴because you are the Lord our God:
you are our Father for ever.

Gospel Reading - Those who endure to the end

³“When will this happen?” the disciples asked him later, as he sat on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. “What events will signal your return and the end of the world?”^a

⁴Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone fool you. ⁵For many will come claiming to be the Messiah and will lead many astray. ⁶When you hear of wars beginning, this does not signal my return; these must come, but the end is not yet. ⁷The nations and kingdoms of the earth will rise against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in many places. ⁸But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come.

⁹“Then you will be tortured and killed and hated all over the world because you are mine, ¹⁰ and many of you shall fall back into sin and betray and hate each other. ¹¹And many false prophets will appear and lead many astray. ¹²Sin will be rampant everywhere and will cool the love of many. ¹³But those enduring to the end shall be saved.

¹⁴“And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it, and then, finally, the end will come.

1. Literally, “age.”

Look on those who revere you, O God,*
on those who trust in your merciful love.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
     hallowed be your name,
     your kingdom come,
     your will be done,
          on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
     as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
     and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
     now and for ever.
Amen.