• A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes
• A  reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes
• A reading for the prophet Isaiah (41:10, 44:22, 49:15-16)
• A reading from the prophet Isaiah (25:6-9)
• A reading from the book of Wisdom Chapter 3
• A reading from the book of Wisdom (3:1-6.9)
• A reading from the prophet Isaiah (46:8:14-16)
• A reading from the prophet Isaiah (61:1-3)
• A reading from the prophet Isaiah (41:9-11.13~14)
• A Reading from the Book of Deuteronomy
• A reading from the book of Wisdom 4:7-15
• A reading from the book of Lamentations 3:17-26
• A reading from the Book of Sirach (38:16-17,23)
• A reading from the book of Lamentations
• A reading from the Prophet Isaiah 9:1-2, 5-7
• A reading from the Prophet Isaiah 58:7-10
  
• A reading from the book of Ecclesiasticus 26:1-4,13-16
• A reading from the Book of Psalms (Ps 111:1-9)
• A reading from the Book of Jeremiah 17:5-8

A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes

Next let us praise illustrious people,

or ancestors in their successive generations.

The lord has created abundance of glory and displayed his greatness from earliest times.

Some wielded authority as kings and were renowned for their strength;

others were intelligent advisers and uttered prophetic oracles.

Others directed people by their advice,

by their understanding of the popular mind,

and by the wise words of their teaching;

others composed musical melodies, and set down ballads;

others were rich and powerful,

living peacefully in their homes.

But here a list of generous people whose good works have not been forgotten.

This is the word of the Lord.

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A  reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

What does a worker gain from his or her toil ?

I have seen the burden God has laid on his people.

God has made everything beautiful in its time,

also he has put eternity into the human mind,

yet even still we cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

I know that there is nothing better for a person than to be happy and to do good while they live.

That everyone may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their work - that is the gift of God.

This is the word of the Lord.

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A reading for the prophet Isaiah (41:10, 44:22, 49:15-16)

Fear not I am with you; be not dismayed; I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, and uphold you with my right hand of justice.  For I am the Lord your God who grasps your right hand; it is I who say to you 'fear not, I will help you'.

I have brushed away your offences like a cloud, your sins like a mist, return to me, for I have redeemed you.  Can a mother forget her infant be without tenderness for the child within her womb?  Even should she forget, I will never forget you.  See, upon the palm of my hand I have written your name.  Yes, in joy you shall depart, in peace you shall be brought back.

This is the word of the Lord.

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A reading from the prophet Isaiah (25:6-9)

On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food.  On this mountain he will remove the mourning veil covering all peoples, and the shroud enwrapping all nations, he will destroy Death forever.

The Lord will wipe away the tears from every cheek, he will take away his people's shame everywhere on earth, for the Lord has said so.

That day, it will be said.  See, this is our God in whom we hoped for salvation, the Lord is the one in whom we hoped.  We exult and we rejoice that he has saved us.

This is the word of the Lord.

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The reading is taken from the book of Wisdom Chapter 3 reading from the first verse

The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God,

no torment shall ever touch them.

In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die,

their going looked like a disaster,

their leaving us, like annihilation;

but they are in peace.

If they experienced punishment as men see it,

their hope was rich with immortality;

slight was their affliction, great will their blessing be.

God has put them to the test

and proved them worthy to be with him;

he has tested them like gold in a furnace,

and accepted them as a holocaust.

They who trust in him will understand the truth,

those who are faithful will live with him in love;

for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.

This is the word of the Lord.

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A reading from the book of Wisdom (3:1-6.9)

The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,

and no torment will ever touch them.

In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,

and their departure was thought to be a disaster,

and their going from us to be their destruction;

but they are at peace.

For though in the sight of others they were punished,

their hope is full of immortality.

Having been disciplined a little,

they will receive great good,

because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;

like gold in the furnace he tried them,

and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.

Those who trust in him will understand truth,

and the faithful will abide with him in love,

because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,

and he watches over his elect.

This is the word of the Lord.

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A reading from the prophet Isaiah (46:8:14-16)

Thus say the Lord: 'in a time of favour I have answered you, on a day of salvation I have helped you." But Zion said, 'The Lord has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me.'

'Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb?  Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.  See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands".

This is the word of the Lord.

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A reading from the prophet Isaiah (61:1-3)

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed;

to bind up the broken-hearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and release to the prisoners;

to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

to give them a garland instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning.

This is the word of the Lord.

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A reading from the prophet Isaiah (41:9-11.13~14)

You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off.  Do not fear, for I am with you.  Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I Will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

All who are incensed against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who strive against you will be as nothing and will perish.  For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Do not fear, I will help you'.  Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

This is the word of the Lord.

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A Reading from the Book of Deuteronomy
Moses died, his eyes undimmed, his vigour unimpaired.

Then, leaving the plains of Moab, Moses went up Mount Nebo, and Yahweh showed him the whole land, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea. Yahweh said to him, ‘This is the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying: I will give it to your descendants. I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you shall not cross into it.’ There in the land of Moab, Moses the servant of Yahweh died as Yahweh decreed, he buried him in the valley, in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but to this day no one has ever found his grave. Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye undimmed, his vigour unimpaired. The sons of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days. The days of weeping for the mourning rites of Moses came to an end. Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. It was he that the sons of Israel obeyed, carrying out the order that Yahweh had given to Moses

This is the Word of the Lord

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A reading from the book of Wisdom 4:7-15
Grace and mercy await the chosen of the Lord

The virtuous ones, though they die before their time, will find rest.
length of days is not what makes age honourable,
nor number of years the true measure of life;
understanding, this is mans grey hairs
untarnished life, this is ripe old age.
They have sought to please God, so God has loved them;
as they were living among sinners, they have been taken up.
They have been carried off so that evil may not warp their understanding
or treachery seduce their souls;
for the fascination of evil throws good things into the shade,
and the whirlwind of desire corrupts a simple heart.
Coming to perfection is so short a while, they achieved long life;
their soul being pleasing to the Lord,
he has taken them quickly from the wickedness around them
Yet people look on, uncomprehending;
it does not enter their heads
that grace and mercy await the chosen of the Lord,
and protection, his holy ones.

This is the word of the Lord.

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A reading from the book of Lamentations 3:17-26
It is good to wait in silence for the Lord to save

My soul is shut out from peace;
I have forgotten happiness.
And now I say, My strength is gone
that hope which came from the Lord.
Brooding on my anguish and affliction
is gall and wormwood.
My spirit ponders it continually
and sinks within me
This is what I shall tell my heart,
and so recover hope:
the favours of the Lord are not all past,
his kindnesses are not exhausted;
every morning they are renewed;
great is his faithfulness.
My portion is the Lord says my soul
and so I will hope in him.
The Lord is good to those who trust him,
to the soul that searches for him.
It is good to wait in silence
for the Lord to save.

This is the word of the Lord.

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A reading from the Book of Sirach (38:16-17,23)
Bury the dead with fitting ceremonial

My people, weep for the dead, lament to express your sorrow and bury the dead with fitting ceremonial and do not fail to honour the grave. Weep bitterly, cry out with full voice, and observe the mourning period in accordance with the merits of the deceased. When the dead are laid to rest, let their memory be one of peace, be comforted on their account once their spirit has departed.

This is the word of the Lord.

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A reading from the book of Lamentations
The Favours of the Lord are not all past.

My soul is shut out from peace. I have forgotten happiness. And now I say, ‘My strength is gone, that hope which came from the Lord.’ This is what I shall tell my heart, and so recover hope: the favours of the Lord are not all past, his kindness is not exhausted, every morning they are renewed, great is his faithfulness. ‘’My portion is the Lord,’says my soul, ‘and so I hope in him.’ It is good to wait in silence for the Lord to save.

This is the word of the Lord.

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A reading from the Prophet Isaiah 9:1-2, 5-7

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone. You have made their gladness greater, you have made their joy increase, they rejoice in your presence…
For the yoke that was weighing on them, the bar across their shoulders, these you break as on the day of Midian.
For there is a child born for us, a son given to us and dominion is laid upon his shoulders; and this is the name they give him, Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince of Peace. Wide is his dominion in a peace that has no end, for the throne of David and for his royal power which he establishes and makes secure in justice and integrity, from this time onwards and forever.

This is the word of the Lord.

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A reading from the Prophet Isaiah 58:7-10

Is this the sort of fast that pleases me
- it is the Lord who speaks –
to break unjust fetters
and undo the thongs of the yoke
to let the oppressed go free
and break every yoke,
to share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor,
to clothe the man you see to be naked and turn not from your own kin.
Then your light will shine like the dawn and any wounds you may have quickly healed over.
Your integrity will go before you and the glory of the Lord behind you.
Cry, and the Lord will answer; call and he will say, ‘I am here.’
If you do away with the yoke, the clenched fist, the wicked word,
If you give your bread to the hungry, and relief to the oppressed,
Your light will rise in the darkness and your shadows become like noon.
The Lord will always guide you
Giving you relief in desert places.
He will give strength to your bones
And shall be like a watered garden
Like a spring of water
Whose waters never run dry.

This is the word of the Lord.

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A reading from the book of Ecclesiasticus 26:1-4,13-16

Happy the husband of a really good wife
The number of his days will be doubled.
A perfect wife is the joy of her husband,
He will live out the years of his life in peace.
A good wife is the best of portions,
Reserved for those who fear the Lord;
Rich or poor, they will be glad of heart,
Cheerful of face, whatever the season.
The grace of a wife will charm her husband,
Her accomplishment will make him the stronger.
A silent wife is a gift from the Lord,
No price can be put on a well trained character.
A modest wife is a boon twice over,
A chaste character cannot be weighted on scales.
Like the sun rising over the mountains of the Lord
Is the beauty of a good wife in a well kept house.

This is the word of the Lord.

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A reading from the Book of Psalms (Ps 111:1-9)

Happy the person who fears the Lord
Who takes delight in His commands.
Such a person will have children powerful on earth
The children of the upright are blessed.
Riches and wealth are in their house,
His / her justice stands firm forever.
They are a light in the darkness, generous, merciful and just.
The good person takes pity and lends,
conducts their affairs with honour and will be remembered forever.
Such a person has no fear of bad news, with firm heart they trust in the Lord.
Open-handed they give to the poor, their justice stands firm forever, they will be raised to glory.

This is the word of the Lord.

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A reading from the Book of Jeremiah 17:5-8

Thus says the Lord:
Blessed is the one 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.

This is the word of the Lord.

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