Paul's Ministry to the Church

²⁴ Now ^(A)I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh ^(B)I am filling up ^(C)what is lacking in Christ's afflictions ^(D)for the sake of his body, that is, the church, ^25 (E)of which I became a minister according to ^(F)the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, ^26 (G)the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. ^27 (H)To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are ^(I)the riches of the glory of ^(J)this mystery, which is Christ in you, ^(K)the hope of glory. ²⁸ Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that ^(L)we may present everyone ^(M)mature in Christ. ²⁹ For this ^(N)I toil, ^(O)struggling ^(P)with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

A Living Sacrifice

12 ^(A)I appeal to you therefore, brothers,^[a] by the mercies of God, ^(B)to present your bodies ^(C)as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.^{[b] 2 (D)}Do not be conformed to this world,^[c] but be transformed by ^(E)the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may ^(F)discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.^[d]

^14 (A)Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ^15 (B)Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ^16 (C)Live in harmony with one another. ^(D)Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.^{[a] (E)}Never be wise in your own sight. ^17 (F)Repay no one evil for evil, but ^(G)give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, ^(H)live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, ^(I)never avenge yourselves, but leave it^[b] to the wrath of God, for it is written, ^(J)“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, ^(K)“if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

^21 (A)From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that ^(B)he must go to Jerusalem and ^(C)suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on ^(D)the third day be raised. ²² And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord!^[a] This shall never happen to you.” ²³ But he turned and said to Peter, ^(E)“Get behind me, Satan! You are ^(F)a hindrance^[b] to me. For you ^(G)are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

²⁴ Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him ^(H)deny himself and ^(I)take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵ For ^(J)whoever would save his life^[c] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. ²⁶ For ^(K)what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or ^(L)what shall a man give in return for his soul? ^27 (M)For the Son of Man is going to come with ^(N)his angels in the glory of his Father, and ^(O)then he will repay each person according to what he has done. ²⁸ Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not ^(P)taste death ^(Q)until they see the Son of Man ^(R)coming in his kingdom.”