Say not thou, I will hide myself from the Lord: shall any remember me from above? I shall not be
remembered among so many people: for what is my soul among such an infinite number of creatures?
Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth, and all that therein is, shall be
moved when he shall visit. The mountains also and foundations of the earth be shaken with trembling,
when the Lord looketh upon them. No heart can think upon these things worthily: and who is able to
conceive his ways? It is a tempest which no man can see: for the most part of his works are hid. Who can
declare the works of his justice? or who can endure them? for his covenant is afar off, and the trial of all
things is in the end. He that wanteth understanding will think upon vain things: and a foolish man erring
imagineth follies. My son, hearken unto me, and learn knowledge, and mark my words with thy heart. I
will shew forth doctrine in weight, and declare his knowledge exactly. The works of the Lord are done in
judgment from the beginning: and from the time he made them he disposed the parts thereof. He
garnished his works for ever, and in his hand are the chief of them unto all generations: they neither
labour, nor are weary, nor cease from their works. None of them hindereth another, and they shall never
disobey his word. After this the Lord looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings. With all
manner of living things hath he covered the face thereof; and they shall return into it again.
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had
fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he
said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is
written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith
unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge
concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a
stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil
taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the
glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship
me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy
God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered
unto him.
ALMIGHTY and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy
faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service; Grant, we
beseech thee, that we may so faithfully serve thee in this life, that
we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises; through the
merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.