A Reading in the Jewish Tradition
With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
The Lord has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:6-8
A Reading in the Christian Tradition
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
For they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
For they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3-10
A Reading in the Islamic Tradition
God brings the living out of the dead and brings the dead out of the living and brings to life the earth after its lifelessness. And thus, will you be brought out. And of God’s signs is that God created you from dust; then, suddenly you were human beings dispersing (throughout the earth). And of God’s signs is that God created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and God placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who give thought. And of God’s signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed, in that are signs for those of knowledge.
Quran 30:19-22
Goodness does not consist in turning your face towards East or West. The truly good are those who believe in God and the Last Day, in the angels, the Scripture, and the prophets; who give away some of their wealth, however much they cherish it, to their relatives, to orphans, the needy, travelers and beggars and to liberate those in debt and bondage; those who keep up the prayers and pay the prescribed alms; who keep pledges whenever they make them; who are steadfast in misfortune, adversity and times of danger. These are the ones who are true, and it is they who are aware of Allah.
Quran 2:17
A Reading in the Hindu Tradition
One who does not hate any creature, who is friendly and compassionate, free from the notion of “I” and “my,” even-minded in pain and pleasure, forgiving; who is ever content, who has subdued the mind, whose resolve is firm, whose mind and intellect are engaged in dwelling upon Me, who is devote to Me, is dear to Me. The one by whom others are not agitated and who is not agitated by others, who is free from joy, envy, fear, and anxiety, is also dear to Me. The one who remains the same towards friend or foe, in honor or disgrace, in heat or cold, in pleasure or pain, who is free from attachment; who is indifferent to censure or praise, quiet, content with whatever one has, unattached to a place (a country or a house), clam, and full of devotion – that person is dear to Me.
Bhagavad-Gita 12: 13-15; 18-19