Restore Us, O God

To the choirmaster: according to ^(A)Lilies. A Testimony. Of ^(B)Asaph, a Psalm.

The Vineyard of the Lord Destroyed

²⁹ By faith ^(A)the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. ³⁰ By faith ^(B)the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. ³¹ By faith ^(C)Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she ^(D)had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

³² And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of ^(E)Gideon, ^(F)Barak, ^(G)Samson, ^(H)Jephthah, of ^(I)David and ^(J)Samuel and the prophets— ³³ who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, ^(K)stopped the mouths of lions, ^34 (L)quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, ^(M)became mighty in war, ^(N)put foreign armies to flight. ^35 (O)Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. ³⁶ Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even ^(P)chains and imprisonment. ^37 (Q)They were stoned, they were sawn in two,^{[a] (R)}they were killed with the sword. ^(S)They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy—^(T)wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

³⁹ And all these, ^(U)though commended through their faith, ^(V)did not receive what was promised, ⁴⁰ since God had provided something better for us, ^(W)that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and ^(X)sin which clings so closely, and ^(Y)let us run ^(Z)with endurance the race that is ^(AA)set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, ^(AB)who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising ^(AC)the shame, and ^(AD)is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

⁷ But ^(A)if we walk in the light, ^(B)as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and ^(C)the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. ^8 (D)If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and ^(E)the truth is not in us. ^9 (F)If we confess our sins, he is ^(G)faithful and just to forgive us our sins and ^(H)to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say we have not sinned, ^(I)we make him a liar, and ^(J)his word is not in us.

The Narrow Door

^22 (A)He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and ^(B)journeying toward Jerusalem. ²³ And someone said to him, “Lord, ^(C)will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, ^24 (D)“Strive ^(E)to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. ^25 (F)When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ^(G)‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ^(H)‘I do not know where you come from.’ ²⁶ Then you will begin to say, ^(I)‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ ²⁷ But he will say, ‘I tell you, ^(J)I do not know where you come from. ^(K)Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ ^28 (L)In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see ^(M)Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but ^(N)you yourselves cast out. ²⁹ And ^(O)people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and ^(P)recline at table in the kingdom of God. ³⁰ And behold, ^(Q)some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”