A reading from the book of the prophet Jeremiah. Thus says the Lord. Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, but stands in a lava waste, a soft and empty earth. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream. It fears not the heat when it comes. Its leaves stay green. In the year of drought, it shows no distress, but still bears fruit. More torturous than all else is the human heart beyond remedy.
Who can understand it? I, the lord, alone probe the mind and test the heart to reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds. This is the word of the lord.