Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit himself asketh for us with unspeakable groanings.
And the Lord said: Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips glorify me, but their heart is far from me, and they have feared me with the commandment and doctrines of men:
For they seek me from day to day and desire to know my ways, as a nation that hath done justice and hath not forsaken the judgment of their God. They ask of me the judgments of justice: they are willing to approach to God.
Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him with a perfect and most sincere heart. And put away the gods which your fathers served in Mesopotamia and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.
But you are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people: that you may declare his virtues, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Unto the end, for David the servant of the Lord, who spoke to the Lord the words of this canticle, in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hands of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.
Behold, the hour cometh, and it is now come, that you shall be scattered every man to his own, and shall leave me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
I know, my God, that thou provest hearts, and lovest simplicity. Wherefore I also in the simplicity of my heart have joyfully offered all these things: and I have seen with great joy thy people, which are here present, offer thee their offerings.
And I sought among them for a man that might set up a hedge and stand in the gap before me in favour of the land, that I might not destroy it: and I found none.
My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hollow places of the wall, shew me thy face, let thy voice sound in my ears: for thy voice is sweet, and thy face comely.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel and they that shall escape of the house of Jacob shall lean no more upon him that striketh them: but they shall lean upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.