The Offer of Life or Death

¹¹ Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.^{(A) 12} It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven^(B) to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?”^{(C) 13} Nor is it beyond the sea,^(D) so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?”^{(E) 14} No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.^(F)

²³ Jesus replied, “The hour^(A) has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.^{(B) 24} Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies,^(C) it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. ²⁵ Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it^(D) for eternal life.^{(E) 26} Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.^(F) My Father will honor the one who serves me.