Book of Common Prayer

¹³ But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you for salvation, through sanctifying by the Spirit and through believing the truth, ¹⁴ to which he called you by our gospel, to obtain the glory that comes of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ Therefore, brethren, stand fast. And keep the ordinances that you have been taught, whether it was by our preaching or by epistle.

¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, ¹⁷ comfort your hearts and establish you in all doctrine and good-doing.

He asks them to pray for him, that the gospel may prosper. He warns them to reprove the idle, and if they will not labour with their hands, they should not eat.

3 Furthermore, brethren, pray for us, that the word of God may have free passage and be glorified, as it is with you, ² and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men. For all do not have faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and keep you from evil. ⁴ We have confidence through the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do that which we instruct you. ⁵ And may the Lord guide your hearts to the love of God and patience of Christ.

¹⁴ And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. ¹⁵ And he said to them, I have inwardly desired to eat this Passover lamb with you before I suffer. ¹⁶ For I say to you, henceforth I will not eat of it any more until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. ¹⁷ And he took the cup and gave thanks and said, Take this, and divide it among you. ¹⁸ For I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God has come.

¹⁹ And he took bread, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, This is my body, which is given for you. This do in the remembrance of me. ²⁰ Likewise also, when they had supped, he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you. ²¹ Yet behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. ²² And the Son of man goes as it is appointed; but woe be to that man by whom he is betrayed.

²³ And they began to enquire among themselves which of them it could be that would do that. 

²⁴ And there was a dispute among them, which of them should be taken for the greatest. ²⁵ And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles reign over them, and those who bear rule over them are called gracious lords. ²⁶ But you shall not be like this. Rather, he who is greatest among you shall be as the youngest, and he who is chief shall be as the servant. ²⁷ For who is greater: he who sits at food, or he that serves? Is it not he who sits at food? But I am among you as he that serves. ²⁸ And you are those who have stayed with me in my trials. ²⁹ And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father has appointed to me, ³⁰ so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit upon seats, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.