²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice; I know them,^(A) and they follow me.^(B)

⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling^(A) like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.^{(B) 8} Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need^(C) before you ask him.

³⁷ All those the Father gives me^(A) will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. ³⁸ For I have come down from heaven^(B) not to do my will but to do the will^(C) of him who sent me.^{(D) 39} And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me,^(E) but raise them up at the last day.^(F)

¹⁷ Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out^(A) whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you,^(A) brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,^(B) holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform^(C) to the pattern of this world,^(D) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.^(E) Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is^(F)—his good, pleasing^(G) and perfect will.

⁸ If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.^(A)

⁵ Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.^(A)

¹⁹ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will^(A) should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.