¹⁶ This is what the Lord Almighty says:

²⁵ “I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies^(U) in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream!^(V) I had a dream!’ ²⁶ How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions^(W) of their own minds?^{(X) 27} They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget^(Y) my name, just as their ancestors forgot^(Z) my name through Baal worship.^{(AA) 28} Let the prophet who has a dream^(AB) recount the dream, but let the one who has my word^(AC) speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord. ²⁹ “Is not my word like fire,”^(AD) declares the Lord, “and like a hammer^(AE) that breaks a rock in pieces?

³⁰ “Therefore,” declares the Lord, “I am against^(AF) the prophets^(AG) who steal from one another words supposedly from me. ³¹ Yes,” declares the Lord, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The Lord declares.’^{(AH) 32} Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,^(AI)” declares the Lord. “They tell them and lead my people astray^(AJ) with their reckless lies,^(AK) yet I did not send^(AL) or appoint them. They do not benefit^(AM) these people in the least,” declares the Lord.

Psalm 118

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

¹⁹ Though I am free^(A) and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,^(B) to win as many as possible.^{(C) 20} To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.^(D) To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),^(E) so as to win those under the law. ²¹ To those not having the law I became like one not having the law^(F) (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),^(G) so as to win those not having the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.^(H) I have become all things to all people^(I) so that by all possible means I might save some.^{(J) 23} I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

The Need for Self-Discipline

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?^(K) Run^(L) in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown^(M) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.^{(N) 26} Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;^(O) I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.^{(P) 27} No, I strike a blow to my body^(Q) and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.^(R)

Jesus Predicts His Death^(A)

³¹ He then began to teach them that the Son of Man^(B) must suffer many things^(C) and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law,^(D) and that he must be killed^(E) and after three days^(F) rise again.^{(G) 32} He spoke plainly^(H) about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

³³ But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!”^(I) he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

The Way of the Cross

³⁴ Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.^{(J) 35} For whoever wants to save their life^[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.^{(K) 36} What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? ³⁷ Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? ³⁸ If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man^(L) will be ashamed of them^(M) when he comes^(N) in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

9 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come^(O) with power.”^(P)