Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Imitate Us, And Keep Away From Those Who Don’t

⁶ Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you be keeping-away^[a] from every brother walking disorderly^[b] and not according to the tradition which they received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought-to be imitating us. Because we were not disorderly among you, ⁸ nor did we eat bread as-a-gift^[c] from anyone, but were working with labor and hardship by night and by day so-as not to be a burden-on any of you— ⁹ not because we do not have the right, but in order that we might give ourselves as a pattern to you, so that you may be imitating us. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we commanded this to you— that “if anyone does not want to work, neither let him eat”. ¹¹ For we are hearing of some among you walking disorderly, not working at all, but being-busybodies^[d]. ¹² Now to such ones we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ that while working with quietness, they eat their own bread. ¹³ But you, brothers, do not grow-weary while doing-good.

Jesus Says The Temple Will Be Destroyed. The Disciples Ask, When?

⁵ And while some were talking about the temple— that it has been adorned with beautiful stones and gifts-dedicated-to-God— He said, ⁶ “As to these things which you are observing, days will come during which a stone on a stone will not be left which will not be torn-down^[a]”. ⁷ And they questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”

Do Not Be Deceived By False Christs Or Frightened By Wars And Disturbances

⁸ And the One said, “Be watching-out that you may not be deceived. For many will come on the basis of My name, saying ‘I am^[b] the One’, and ‘The time has drawn-near’. Do not go after them. ⁹ And whenever you hear-of wars and disturbances^[c], do not be frightened. For these things must take place first, but it is not immediately the end”.

There Will Be Disasters On Earth And Great Signs From Heaven

¹⁰ Then He was saying to them, “Nation will arise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ There will be both great earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places. There will be both fearful^[d] things and great signs from heaven.

But Before All This, You Will Be Imprisoned

¹² “But before all these things, they will put their hands on you and persecute you— they handing you over to the synagogues and prisons, you being led-away before kings and governors for-the-sake-of ^[e] My name. ¹³ It will turn-out for you to be for a testimony. ¹⁴ So put in your hearts not to prepare-beforehand to speak-a-defense. ¹⁵ For I will give you a mouth, and wisdom which all the ones being opposed to you will not be able to resist or to speak-against^[f]. ¹⁶ And you will be handed-over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends. And they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷ And you will be being hated by all because of My name. ¹⁸ And a hair of your head will by no means be^[g] lost. ¹⁹ Gain^[h] your souls^[i] by your endurance.