Feast of Saint Stephen, the First Martyr

Beware of men. For they will hand you over to councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. And you shall be led before both rulers and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not choose to think about how or what to speak. For what to speak shall be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who will be speaking, but the Spirit of your Father, who will speak in you. And brother will hand over brother to death, and father will hand over son. And children will rise up against parents and bring about their deaths. And you will be hated by all for the sake of my name. But whoever will have persevered, even to the end, the same shall be saved.