Daily Readings - 24/01/2026

^79:1 God, the pagans have invaded your heritage, they have desecrated your holy Temple; they have reduced Jerusalem to a pile of ruins,

^79:2 they have left the corpses of your servants to the birds of the air for food, and the flesh of your devout to the beasts of the earth.

^79:3 They have shed blood like water throughout Jerusalem, not a gravedigger left!

^79:4 we are now insulted by our neighbours, butt and laughing-stock of all those around us.

^79:5 How much longer will you be angry, Yahweh? For ever? Is your jealousy to go on smouldering like a fire?

^79:6 Pour out your anger on the pagans, who do not acknowledge you, and on those kingdoms that do not call on your name,

^79:7 for they have devoured Jacob and reduced his home to desolation.

^79:8 Do not hold our ancestors’ crimes against us, in tenderness quickly intervene, we can hardly be crushed lower;

^79:9 help us, God our saviour, for the honour of your name; Yahweh, blot out our sins, rescue us for the sake of your name.

^79:10 Why should the pagans ask, ‘Where is their God?’ May we soon see the pagans learning what vengeance you exact for your servants’ blood shed here!

^79:11 May the groans of the captive reach you; by your mighty arm rescue those doomed to die!

^79:12 Pay our neighbours sevenfold, strike to the heart for the monstrous insult proffered to you, Lord!

^79:13 And we your people, the flock that you pasture, giving you everlasting thanks, will recite your praises for ever and ever.

^3:20 He went home again, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal.

^3:21 When his relatives heard of this, they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind.