Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

²⁶ Furthermore, the Spirit also relieves our infirmities. For we know not what to pray as we ought, but the Spirit makes intercession mightily for us, with groanings which cannot be expressed by tongue. ²⁷ And he who searches the hearts knows what is the intent of the Spirit, for he makes intercession for the saints according to the pleasure of God. ²⁸ For we know that all things work for the best for those who love God, who also are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those whom he knew before, he also ordained before to be fashioned to the image of his Son, so that he may be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover, those whom he appointed before, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

  ³¹ What shall we say then to these things? If God is on our side, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him for us all, how would he not also give us all things with him? ³³ Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies; ³⁴ who then shall condemn? It is Christ who is dead – yea rather, risen again, who is also on the right hand of God, and makes intercession for us.

³⁵ Who can separate us from the love of God? Can tribulation? or anguish? or persecution? or hunger? or nakedness? or peril? or sword? ³⁶ As it is written: For your sake we are killed all day long, and are counted as sheep appointed to be slain. ³⁷ Nevertheless, in all these things we overcome strongly through the help of him who loved us. ³⁸ Yea, and I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rule, nor power, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other thing in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God shown in Christ Jesus our Lord.

³¹ Another parable he put forth to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man takes and sows in his field, ³² which is the least of all seeds. But when it is grown, it is the greatest among shrubs; and it is a tree, so that the birds of the air come and build in its branches.

³³ He told them another similitude: The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman takes and hides in three measures of meal, till all is leavened.

⁴⁴ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hid in a field, which a person finds and hides, and for the joy of it goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

⁴⁵ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant who seeks good pearls, ⁴⁶ who, when he found one precious pearl, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

⁴⁷ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea, which gathers in all kinds of fishes. ⁴⁸ When it is full, men draw it to land, and sit and gather the good into vessels, and cast the bad away. ⁴⁹ So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels will come out and separate the bad from the good, ⁵⁰ and will cast them into a furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

⁵¹ Jesus asked them, Do you understand all these things? They said, Yes, Lord. ⁵² Then he said to them, Therefore every scribe who is instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings forth out of his treasure things both new and old.