Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹ Put on the armour of God so that you are able to stand steadfast against the crafty assaults of the devil. ¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against rule, against power; namely against the rulers of the world, of the darkness of this world; against spiritual wickedness, for heavenly things. ¹³ So then, take up the armour of God, so that you are able to resist in the evil day, and to stand perfect in all things.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and shod with shoes prepared by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ Above all, take up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸ And pray always with every sort of prayer and supplication, and that in the Spirit. And keep vigil also with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints – ¹⁹ and for me: that utterance may be given to me; that I may open my mouth boldly to utter the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am a messenger in bonds; that I may speak freely therein as I ought to speak.

⁵⁶ He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood dwells in me, and I in him. ⁵⁷ As the living Father has sent me, even so do I live by my Father, and he that eats me shall live by me. ⁵⁸ This is the bread which came from heaven – not as your fathers ate manna and are dead. He who eats of this bread shall live forever.

⁵⁹ These things he said in the synagogue as he taught in Capernaum. ⁶⁰ Many therefore of his disciples, when they heard this, said, This is a hard saying. Who can abide the hearing of it?

⁶¹ Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, and said to them, Does this offend you? ⁶² What if you see the Son of man ascend up to where he was before? ⁶³ It is the Spirit that quickens. The flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to you, are spirit and life. ⁶⁴ But there are some of you who do not believe. (For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that did not believe, and who would betray him.) ⁶⁵ And he said, Therefore I said to you that no one can come to me, unless it be given to him by my Father.

⁶⁶ From that time, many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him. ⁶⁷ Then Jesus said to the twelve, Will you also go away? ⁶⁸ Then Simon Peter answered, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, ⁶⁹ and we believe and know that you are Christ, the Son of the living God.