²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.^(A)

¹⁸ Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved^(A) them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented^(B) because of their groaning^(C) under those who oppressed and afflicted^(D) them. ¹⁹ But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt^(E) than those of their ancestors,^(F) following other gods and serving and worshiping them.^(G) They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn^(H) ways.

Psalm 36^[a]

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord.

⁷ To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor^(A) and immortality,^(B) he will give eternal life.^(C)

⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray^(A) with joy ⁵ because of your partnership^(B) in the gospel from the first day^(C) until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion^(D) until the day of Christ Jesus.^(E)

²⁰ If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing^(A) our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ^(B) and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.^{(C) 21} It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.^(D)