First Reading

Thus says the Lord:

Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,

who seeks his strength in flesh,

whose heart turns away from the Lord.

He is like a barren bush in the desert

that enjoys no change of season,

But stands in a lava waste,

a salt and empty earth.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

whose hope is the Lord.

He is like a tree planted beside the waters

that stretches out its roots to the stream:

It fears not the heat when it comes,

its leaves stay green;

In the year of drought it shows no distress,

but still bears fruit.

More tortuous than all else is the human heart,

beyond remedy; who can understand it?

I, the Lord, alone probe the mind

and test the heart,

To reward everyone according to his ways,

according to the merit of his deeds.