Psalm 40^[a](A)

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

¹⁵ But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

¹⁷ Everyone will hate you because of me.^{(A) 18} But not a hair of your head will perish.^{(B) 19} Stand firm, and you will win life.^(C)

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

²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.^(A)

⁴ Love is patient,^(A) love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.^{(B) 5} It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,^(C) it is not easily angered,^(D) it keeps no record of wrongs.^(E)

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run^(A) with perseverance^(B) the race marked out for us,

³ because you know that the testing of your faith^(A) produces perseverance.^{(B) 4} Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature^(C) and complete, not lacking anything.