Book of Common Prayer
Foolish words and the word of truth
14 Remind them about these things; and warn them, in God’s presence, not to quarrel about words. This doesn’t do any good; instead, it threatens to ruin people who listen to it. 15 Do your very best to present yourself before God as one who has passed the test—a workman who has no need to be ashamed, who can carve out a straight path for the word of truth. 16 Avoid pointless and empty chatter. It will push people further and further towards ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like a cancer. I’m thinking in particular of Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 they have turned aside from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting some people’s faith. 19 But God’s firm foundation stands, and it has this as its seal: “The Lord knows those who belong to him,” and “Everyone who uses the name of the Lord must leave wickedness behind.”
Vessels for God’s use
20 In a great house there are vessels not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and pottery. Some of them are given special honor in the way they’re used; others are for menial purposes. 21 So if people purify themselves from dishonorable things, they will become vessels for honor, made holy, pleasing to the master of the house, fit for every good work.
13 People brought children to Jesus for him to touch them. The disciples reprimanded them. 14 But Jesus was angry when he saw it, and said to them, “Let the children come to me! Don’t stop them! The kingdom of God belongs to people like that. 15 I’m telling you the truth: anyone who doesn’t receive the kingdom of God like a child will never get into it.”
16 And he hugged them, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
The rich young ruler
17 As he was setting out on the road, a man ran up and knelt down in front of him.
“Good teacher,” he asked, “what should I do to inherit the life of the age to come?”
18 “Why call me ‘good’?” replied Jesus. “No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments:
Don’t kill.
Don’t commit adultery.
Don’t steal.
Don’t swear falsely.
Don’t defraud.
Honor your father and your mother.”
20 “Teacher,” he said, “I’ve kept all of them since I was little.”
21 Jesus looked hard at him, and loved him.
“One more thing,” he said. “Go away, and whatever you possess—sell it, and give it to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven! Then: come and follow me.”
22 At that, his face fell, and he went off sadly. He was very wealthy.
Scripture quotations from The New Testament for Everyone are copyright © Nicholas Thomas Wright 2011, 2018, 2019.