Canticle for Lent

The Second Song of Isaiah
quaerite dominum

Isaiah 55:6-11

 

1              Seek the Lord while he wills to be found; *
                               call on him now while he is near.

2              Let the wicked forsake their ways *
                                and the evil ones their thoughts.

3              Let them turn to the Lord, who is compassionate; *
                                to our God, who will richly pardon.

4              For my thoughts are not your thoughts,” says the Lord, *
                                “nor are your ways my ways,

5              For as the heavens are higher than the earth, *
                                so are my ways higher than your ways,
                                and my thoughts than your thoughts.

6              For as the rains and the snows fall from the heavens, *
                                returning not again but watering the earth,

7              Bringing forth life and causing the grains to grow, *
                                giving seed to sow and bread to eat,

8              So is my word that goes forth from my mouth; *
                                it will not return to me empty.

9               It will accomplish all that I have intended, *
                                and succeed in all I have sent it to do.”
                                                                     

                Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
                                as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.