Book of Common Prayer
Philip and Nathanael
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee, where he found Philip.
“Follow me,” he said to him.
44 Philip came from Bethsaida, the town where Andrew and Peter hailed from. 45 Philip found Nathanael.
“We’ve found him!” he said. “The one Moses wrote about in the law! And the prophets, too! We’ve found him! It’s Jesus, Joseph’s son, from Nazareth!”
46 “Really?” replied Nathanael. “Are you telling me that something good can come out of Nazareth?”
“Come and see,” replied Philip.
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him.
“Here he comes,” he said. “Look at him! He’s a real Israelite. Genuine through and through.”
48 “How did you get to know me?” asked Nathanael.
“Oh,” replied Jesus, “I saw you under the fig tree, before Philip spoke to you.”
49 “Rabbi,” replied Nathanael, “you’re the son of God! You’re the king of Israel!”
50 “Wait a minute,” said Jesus. “Are you telling me that you believe just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You’ll see a lot more than that!
51 “In fact,” he went on, “I’m telling you the solemn truth. You’ll see heaven opened, and God’s angels going up and down upon the son of man.”
Humble shepherds
5 So, then, I appeal to the elders among you, as a fellow-elder and a witness of the sufferings of the Messiah, and as one who will share in the glory that is to be revealed. 2 Do the proper work of a shepherd as you look after God’s flock which has been entrusted to you, not under compulsion, but gladly, as in God’s presence, not for shameful profit but eagerly. 3 You should not lord it over those for whom you are responsible, but rather be an example to the flock. 4 And when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that won’t wither away. 5 In the same way, too, the younger men should submit to the elders. But let all of you clothe yourselves with humility towards one another. You see, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the lowly.” 6 Humble yourselves, then, under God’s powerful hand, so that he may lift you up at the right time. 7 Throw all your care upon him, because he cares about you.
Standing firm by God’s power
8 Stay in control of yourselves; stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is stalking around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, staying resolute in your faith, and knowing that other family members in the rest of the world are facing identical sufferings. 10 Then, after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who called you in Messiah Jesus to the glory of his new age, will himself put you in good order, and will establish and strengthen you and set you on firm foundations. 11 To him be the power forever. Amen.
Scripture quotations from The New Testament for Everyone are copyright © Nicholas Thomas Wright 2011, 2018, 2019.