All Saints’-Souls’ Year C *Alternate* First Reading (no Psalm)

A reading from the book of Wisdom.

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no affliction will ever touch them.
To the eyes of fools, they seem to be dead;
their departure will be interpreted as a defeat
and their going away will be considered a disaster –
but they have found peace!
For though, to mortals,
they may have suffered punishment,
their hope is in life everlasting,
and after a time of trial
they will receive great blessings,
because God has tested them and
found them worthy.
God purified them like gold in a crucible
and found them as acceptable
as a whole burnt offering on the altar.
When their time of judgment comes, they will shine
and will sweep over the world
like sparks through the chaff.
They will be appointed as judges and leaders
over all nations and peoples,
and the Holy One will be their Sovereign forever.
Those who have put their trust in God
will find out that this is all true,
and those who are faithful will dwell in God’s love.
These are God’s chosen ones,
and grace and mercy belong to them.

The Word of God recorded in the book of Wisdom.