Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

¹² For the word of God is ^(A)living and powerful, and ^(B)sharper than any ^(C)two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is ^(D)a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ^13 (E)And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are ^(F)naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Our Compassionate High Priest

¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great ^(G)High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, ^(H)let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For ^(I)we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but ^(J)was in all points tempted as we are, ^(K)yet without sin. ^16 (L)Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler^(A)

^17 (B)Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I ^(C)do that I may inherit eternal life?”

¹⁸ So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, ^(D)God. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ^(E)‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”

²⁰ And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have ^(F)kept from my youth.”

²¹ Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, ^(G)sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have ^(H)treasure in heaven; and come, ^(I)take up the cross, and follow Me.”

²² But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

With God All Things Are Possible^(J)

^23 (K)Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴ And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is ^[a]for those ^(L)who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a ^(M)rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

²⁶ And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?”

²⁷ But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not ^(N)with God; for with God all things are possible.”

^28 (O)Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”

²⁹ So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother ^[b]or wife or children or ^[c]lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, ^30 (P)who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with ^(Q)persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. ^31 (R)But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”