⁵⁶ Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.^{(A) 57} Just as the living Father sent me^(B) and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. ⁵⁸ This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”^{(C) 59} He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

⁶⁰ On hearing it, many of his disciples^(D) said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”^(E)

⁶¹ Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you?^{(F) 62} Then what if you see the Son of Man^(G) ascend to where he was before!^{(H) 63} The Spirit gives life;^(I) the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit^[a] and life. ⁶⁴ Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known^(J) from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.^{(K) 65} He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”^(L)

⁶⁶ From this time many of his disciples^(M) turned back and no longer followed him.

⁶⁷ “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.^(N)

⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him,^(O) “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.^{(P) 69} We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”^(Q)

The Ark Brought to the Temple^(A)

8 Then King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs^(B) of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark^(C) of the Lord’s covenant from Zion, the City of David.^(D)

⁶ The priests then brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant^(A) to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place,^(B) and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim.^(C)

¹⁰ When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud^(A) filled the temple of the Lord. ¹¹ And the priests could not perform their service^(B) because of the cloud, for the glory^(C) of the Lord filled his temple.

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication^(A)

²² Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands^(B) toward heaven ²³ and said:

Psalm 84^[a]

For the director of music. According to gittith.^[b] Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord^(A) and in his mighty power.^{(B) 11} Put on the full armor of God,^(C) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(D) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(E) against the powers^(F) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^{(G) 13} Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(H) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,^(I) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^{(J) 15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^{(K) 16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(L) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(M) 17} Take the helmet of salvation^(N) and the sword of the Spirit,^(O) which is the word of God.^(P)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit^(Q) on all occasions^(R) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(S) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(T) for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me,^(U) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly^(V) make known the mystery^(W) of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador^(X) in chains.^(Y) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.