The Collect.
O GOD, who by the foolishness of the Cross didst wondrously
teach thy bless Martyr Saint Justin an excellent knowledge of
Christ Jesus: grant that by his intercession, be being delivered
from the deceitfulness of all false doctrine, may be firmly grounded
in thy true religion. Through the same.
The Epistle. 1 Corinthians 1:18-30
18 BRETHREN: the preaching of the cross is to them that perish
foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer
of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew
not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save
them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock,
and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ
the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the
weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise
men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound
the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to
confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised,
hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought
things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto
us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption
The Gospel. St Luke 12:1-8
1 AT that time: Jesus said unto his disciples: Beware ye of the
leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither
hid, that shall not be known.
3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard
in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets
shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill
the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which
after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say
unto you, Fear him.
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of
them is forgotten before God?
7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear
not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men,
him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God.