First Reading

Seek the Lord while he may be found,

call him while he is near.

Let the scoundrel forsake his way,

and the wicked his thoughts;

let him turn to the Lord for mercy;

to our God, who is generous in forgiving.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.

As high as the heavens are above the earth,

so high are my ways above your ways

and my thoughts above your thoughts.