Epiphany of the Lord Year C First Reading and *Alternate* Psalm

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
the glory of Our God is rising on you,
though night still covers the earth
and darkness the peoples.
Above you Our God now rises
and God’s glory now appears on you.
The nations come to your light
and the leaders to your dawning brightness.
Lift up your eyes and look around;
all are assembling and coming toward you,
your daughters and your sons
journey from afar.

At this sight, you will grow radiant,
your heart will thrill and rejoice;
the riches of the sea will flow to you,
and the wealth of the nations will come to you.
Camels in throngs will cover you,
the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;
everyone in Sheba will come,
bringing gold and incense
and singing the praise of Our God.

The Word of God recorded in the book of the prophet Isaiah.

O God, with your judgment and with your justice,
endow your leaders.
They will govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.

 Justice will flower in their days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May they rule from sea to sea,
and from the river to the ends of the earth.

Tarshish and the Isles will offer gifts;
Arabia and Seba will bring tribute.
All other rulers will pay homage to them,
all the nations will serve them.

For they will rescue the poor when they cry out,
and the afflicted when they have no one to help them.
They will have pity on the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor they will save.