¹ Help me, O Lord, for there is no godly one left;
for the faithful have vanished from among the children of men.
² They speak falsely, every one with his neighbor;
they flatter with their lips and deceive with a double heart.
³ The Lord shall root out all deceitful lips
and the tongues that speak proud things.

⁸ Preserve us, O Lord, and save us
from this perverse and evil generation.
⁹ The ungodly walk on every side
when wickedness is exalted among the children of men.

The First lesson: isaiah 40: 10-11

¹⁰ Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. ¹¹ He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

The second lesson: 1 Thessalonians 2: 1-8

Paul’s Ministry to the Thessalonians

2 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. ² But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. ³ For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, ⁴ but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. ⁵ For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. ⁶ Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. ⁸ So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.