Book of Common Prayer

²⁴ Now I joy in the sufferings that I suffer for you, and fill up that which I lack of the passions of Christ in my flesh, for the sake of his body, which is the congregation. ²⁵ I am made a minister thereof according to the ordinance of God, which ordinance was given to me for you, in order to fulfil the word of God, ²⁶ that mystery hid since the world began and since the beginning of generations, but which is now opened to his saints, ²⁷ to whom God desired to make known the glorious riches of this mystery among the Gentiles. These riches are Christ in you, the Hope of Glory ²⁸ whom we preach, warning all people and instructing all people in all wisdom, to make all men perfect in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ For this I also labour and strive, even as far forth as his working works in me mightily.

What great care Paul took for all congregations. He exhorts them to be steadfast in Christ, and to beware of false teachers and worldly wisdom. He describes the false prophets.

2 I would you knew what fighting I have for your sakes and for the people of Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen me in the flesh, ² that their hearts may be encouraged, and knit together in love and in all the riches of a full understanding, to know the mystery of God the Father and of Christ, ³ in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

⁴ And I say, for fear that someone should beguile you with enticing words ⁵ (for though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am present with you in the spirit, joying and beholding the order that you keep and your steadfast faith in Christ) – ⁶ as you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, even so walk, ⁷ rooted and built in him, and steadfast in the faith, as you have learned. And abound therein in giving thanks.

Christ fasts and is proved. He calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John, and heals all the sick.

4 Then Jesus was led away by the Spirit into wilderness, to be tried by the devil. ² And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterwards hungered. ³ Then the tempter came to him and said, If you are the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. ⁴ He answered and said, It is written: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

⁵ Then the devil took him up into the holy city and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ and said to him, If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down. For it is written: He will give his angels charge over you, and with their hands they will hold you up so that you do not dash your foot against a stone. ⁷ And Jesus said to him, It is written also: You shall not tempt the Lord your God.

⁸ The devil took him up again, and led him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and all the glory of them, ⁹ and said to him, All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to him, Away, Satan! For it is written: You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve. 

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and behold, the angels came and ministered to him.