Old Testament Lesson

Sirach 43:1-12,27-32

The pride of the height, the clear firmament, the beauty of heaven, with his glorious shew; 2The sun when it appeareth, declaring at his rising a marvellous instrument, the work of the most High: 3At noon it parcheth the country, and who can abide the burning heat thereof? 4A man blowing a furnace is in works of heat, but the sun burneth the mountains three times more; breathing out fiery vapours, and sending forth bright beams, it dimmeth the eyes. 5Great is the Lord that made it; and at his commandment runneth hastily. 6He made the moon also to serve in her season for a declaration of times, and a sign of the world. 7From the moon is the sign of feasts, a light that decreaseth in her perfection. 8The month is called after her name, increasing wonderfully in her changing, being an instrument of the armies above, shining in the firmament of heaven; 9The beauty of heaven, the glory of the stars, an ornament giving light in the highest places of the Lord. 10At the commandment of the Holy One they will stand in their order, and never faint in their watches. 11Look upon the rainbow, and praise him that made it; very beautiful it is in the brightness thereof. 12It compasseth the heaven about with a glorious circle, and the hands of the most High have bended it. 27We may speak much, and yet come short: wherefore in sum, he is all. 28How shall we be able to magnify him? for he is great above all his works. 29The Lord is terrible and very great, and marvellous is his power. 30When ye glorify the Lord, exalt him as much as ye can; for even yet will he far exceed: and when ye exalt him, put forth all your strength, and be not weary; for ye can never go far enough. 31Who hath seen him, that he might tell us? and who can magnify him as he is? 32There are yet hid greater things than these be, for we have seen but a few of his works.

The Word of the Lord.