Book of Common Prayer

⁷ Have nothing to do with foolish stories. Make yourself strong in the things that please God.

⁸ `To make the body strong helps a little, but the things of God help us in all ways. The things of God promise us life now and life in heaven.'

⁹ These are true words and everyone should believe them.

¹⁰ That is why we work hard and put up with troubles. We trust in the living God who came to save all people. He makes a way for those who believe in him.

¹¹ Tell people these things and teach them to do them.

¹² Do not let anyone despise you because you are a young man. Show those who believe how they should live. Show them by the way you talk. Show them by the way you live. Show them by the way you love. Show them how to believe by the way you believe. Show them how to live a clean life by the way you live a clean life.

¹³ Until I come, read the holy writings to people. Talk to them and teach them.

¹⁴ Use the gift you have. It was given to you when the church leaders put their hands on your head and gave you a message from God.

¹⁵ Take time to think about these things. Then everybody will see how well you are going ahead in your work.

¹⁶ Take care of yourself and what you teach. Keep on doing this. If you do, you will save yourself and those who listen to you.

⁴⁷ The person who comes from God listens to what God says. You do not come from God. That is why you do not listen to me.'

⁴⁸ The leaders of the Jews answered him, `We say what is true. We say that you come from Samaria. And we say that a bad spirit is in you.'

⁴⁹ Jesus said, `I have no bad spirit in me. I respect my Father but you do not respect me.

⁵⁰ I do not want to make myself great. There is one who makes me great. He judges the matter.

⁵¹ I tell you the truth. If anyone obeys my word, he will never die.'

⁵² The leaders of the Jews said to him, `Now we know it is true that a bad spirit is in you. Abraham died. So did the prophets. And yet you say, "If anyone obeys my word, he will never die."

⁵³ Are you greater than our father Abraham and the prophets of God who died long ago? Who do you make yourself out to be?'

⁵⁴ Jesus answered, `If I make myself great, then I am not great. But my Father makes me great. You say he is your God.

⁵⁵ But you do not know God. I know him. If I say, "I do not know him," I am a liar, just as you people are. But I know him and I obey his word.

⁵⁶ Your father Abraham was glad that he would see my coming. He did see it and he was very glad.'

⁵⁷ The Jewish leaders said to him, `You are not fifty years old yet. How could Abraham see you?'

⁵⁸ Jesus answered, `I tell you the truth. I already was before Abraham was born.'

⁵⁹ Then they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus got out of their way. He left the temple and they did not know where he went.