Sirach, Chapter 35, verses 12-14, 16-17

¹²Do not think to corrupt with gifts; for such he will not receive: and trust not to unrighteous sacrifices; for the Lord is judge, and with him is no respect of persons.

¹³He will not accept any person against a poor man, but will hear the prayer of the oppressed.

¹⁴He will not despise the supplication of the fatherless; nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint.
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¹⁶He that serveth the Lord shall be accepted with favour, and his prayer shall reach unto the clouds.

¹⁷The prayer of the humble pierceth the clouds: and till it come nigh, he will not be comforted; and will not depart, till the most High shall behold to judge righteously, and execute judgment.

2 Timothy, Chapter 4, verses 6-8, 16-18

⁶ certifieth him of the nearness of his death, ⁹ willeth him to come speedily unto him, and certain other things which he wrote for, ¹⁴ warneth him to beware of Alexander the smith, ¹⁶ informeth him what had befallen him at his first answering

⁶For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

⁷I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

⁸Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
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¹⁶At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

¹⁷Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

¹⁸And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Luke, Chapter 18, verses 9-14

⁹ Of the Pharisee and the publican

⁹And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

¹⁰Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

¹¹The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

¹²I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

¹³And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.


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Catholic lectionary for 26 October 2025

Sirach, Chapter 35, verses 12-14, 16-17

2 Timothy, Chapter 4, verses 6-8, 16-18

Luke, Chapter 18, verses 9-14