Hannah’s Prayer

2 Then Hannah prayed and said:^(A)

⁴ Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice,^(A) he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters.^{(B) 5} But to Hannah he gave a double portion^(C) because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb.^{(D) 6} Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.^{(E) 7} This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.^{(F) 8} Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?^(G)”

⁹ Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house.^{(H) 10} In her deep anguish^(I) Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. ¹¹ And she made a vow,^(J) saying, “Lord Almighty^(K), if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember^(L) me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life,^(M) and no razor^(N) will ever be used on his head.”

¹² As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. ¹³ Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk ¹⁴ and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”

¹⁵ “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled.^(O) I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring^(P) out my soul to the Lord. ¹⁶ Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”^(Q)

¹⁷ Eli answered, “Go in peace,^(R) and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.^(S)”

¹⁸ She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.^(T)” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.^(U)

¹⁹ Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah.^(V) Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered^(W) her. ²⁰ So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son.^(X) She named^(Y) him Samuel,^[a](Z) saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

¹¹ Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices,^(A) which can never take away sins.^{(B) 12} But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins,^(C) he sat down at the right hand of God,^{(D) 13} and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.^{(E) 14} For by one sacrifice he has made perfect^(F) forever those who are being made holy.^(G)

¹⁵ The Holy Spirit also testifies^(A) to us about this. First he says:

¹⁷ Then he adds:

¹⁸ And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

A Call to Persevere in Faith

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence^(A) to enter the Most Holy Place^(B) by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way^(C) opened for us through the curtain,^(D) that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest^(E) over the house of God,^{(F) 22} let us draw near to God^(G) with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings,^(H) having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience^(I) and having our bodies washed with pure water.^{(J) 23} Let us hold unswervingly to the hope^(K) we profess,^(L) for he who promised is faithful.^{(M) 24} And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,^{(N) 25} not giving up meeting together,^(O) as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another^(P)—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.^(Q)

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times^(A)

13 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”

² “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”^(B)

³ As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives^(C) opposite the temple, Peter, James, John^(D) and Andrew asked him privately, ⁴ “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”

⁵ Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you.^{(E) 6} Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. ⁷ When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁸ Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.