A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Then Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit to be tempted by the Devil. Fasting forty days and forty nights, Jesus was hungry. The tempter approached and said, “If you are the Only
Begotten, command these stones to turn into bread.” Jesus replied, “Scripture has it, ‘Not on bread alone is one to live but on every utterance that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

Next the Devil took Jesus to the Holy City, set him on the parapet of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Only Begotten, throw yourself down. Scripture has it, ‘God will bid the angels to take care of you; with their hands they will support you that you may never stumble on a stone.’ ”

Jesus answered, “Scripture also has it, ‘You will not put God to the test.’ ” The Devil then took Jesus up a very high mountain and displayed all the dominions of the world in their magnificence, promising, “All these will I bestow on you if you prostrate yourself in
homage to me.” At this, Jesus said to the Devil, “Away with you, Satan! Scripture has it, ‘You will do homage to God; God alone will you adore.’ ”

At that the Devil left, and angels came and waited on Jesus.

The Good News as spoken through Matthew.