Using Your Light

²¹ He^(A) also said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed?^(B) Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand?^{(C) 22} For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed,^(D) and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light. ²³ If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.”^{(E) 24} And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure^(F) you use,^(G) it will be measured to you—and more will be added^(H) to you. ²⁵ For whoever has, more will be given to him, and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”^(I)

The Parable of the Growing Seed

²⁶ “The kingdom of God^(J) is like this,” he said. “A man scatters seed on the ground. ²⁷ He sleeps^(K) and rises^(L) night^(M) and day; the seed sprouts and grows, although he doesn’t know how. ²⁸ The soil produces a crop^(N) by itself—first the blade, then the head, and then the full grain^(O) on the head. ²⁹ As soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the sickle,^(P) because the harvest^(Q) has come.”

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

³⁰ And^(R) he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God,^(S) or what parable^(T) can we use to describe it? ³¹ It’s like a mustard seed^(U) that, when sown upon the soil, is the smallest of all the seeds on the ground. ³² And when sown,^(V) it comes up and grows taller than all the garden plants,^(W) and produces large branches, so that the birds of the sky^(X) can nest in its shade.”

Using Parables

³³ He was speaking the word^(Y) to them with many parables^(Z) like these, as they were able to understand.^{(AA) 34} He did not speak to them without a parable. Privately, however, he explained everything to his own disciples.^(AB)

Psalm 77

Confidence in a Time of Crisis

For the choir director: according to Jeduthun. Of Asaph.^(A) A psalm.

Victorious Resurrection

⁵⁰ What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: Flesh^(A) and blood^(B) cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.^(C) For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible body must be clothed^(D) with incorruptibility,^(E) and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality. ⁵⁴ When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place:

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin^(I) is the law.^{(J) 57} But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory^(K) through our Lord Jesus Christ!

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work,^(L) because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.