Royal Hours of Theophany; Forefeast of Theophany

For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness ¹⁹(for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. ²⁰Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath ²¹(for they indeed have been made priests without an oath), but he with an oath by him that says of him, “The Lord swore and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’”

²²By so much, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

²³Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death. ²⁴But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable. ²⁵Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.

As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!”

²Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone on another, which will not be thrown down.”

³As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, ⁴“Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are all about to be fulfilled?”

⁵Jesus, answering, began to tell them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray. ⁶For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and will lead many astray.

⁷“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be troubled. For those must happen, but the end is not yet. ⁸For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines and troubles. These things are the beginning of birth pains.