Zion’s New Name

¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.^{(A) 16} Avoid godless chatter,^(B) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. ¹⁷ Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus^(C) and Philetus, ¹⁸ who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,^(D) and they destroy the faith of some.^{(E) 19} Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,^(F) sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”^(G) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord^(H) must turn away from wickedness.”

²⁰ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.^{(I) 21} Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.^(J)

²² Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love^(K) and peace, along with those who call on the Lord^(L) out of a pure heart.^{(M) 23} Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.^{(N) 24} And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.^{(O) 25} Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,^{(P) 26} and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,^(Q) who has taken them captive to do his will.

¹⁵ Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king^(A) by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.^(B)

Jesus Walks on the Water^(C)

¹⁶ When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, ¹⁷ where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. ¹⁸ A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. ¹⁹ When they had rowed about three or four miles,^[a] they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water;^(D) and they were frightened. ²⁰ But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”^{(E) 21} Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

²² The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake^(F) realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone.^{(G) 23} Then some boats from Tiberias^(H) landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.^{(I) 24} Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

Jesus the Bread of Life

²⁵ When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi,^(J) when did you get here?”

²⁶ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me,^(K) not because you saw the signs^(L) I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. ²⁷ Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures^(M) to eternal life,^(N) which the Son of Man^(O) will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal^(P) of approval.”

²⁸ Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

²⁹ Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe^(Q) in the one he has sent.”^(R)

³⁰ So they asked him, “What sign^(S) then will you give that we may see it and believe you?^(T) What will you do? ³¹ Our ancestors ate the manna^(U) in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’^[b]”^(V)

³² Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.