Forefeast of the Procession of the Lifegiving Cross

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool that he may become wise. ¹⁹For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He has taken the wise in their craftiness.” ²⁰And again, “The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that it is worthless.” ²¹Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, ²²whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All are yours, ²³and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the darnel weeds of the field.”

³⁷He answered them, “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, ³⁸the field is the world, the good seeds are the children of the Kingdom, and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one. ³⁹The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. ⁴⁰As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age. ⁴¹The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling and those who do iniquity, ⁴²and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.