Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

¹⁴ But you, Timothy, must keep on doing the things you have learned. You know they are right. You know who taught them to you.

¹⁵ From the time you were a child you knew the holy writings. They showed you how to be saved by believing in Christ Jesus.

¹⁶ All that is written in the holy writings comes from the Spirit of God. The holy writings are good for these things: to teach people, to show them when they are wrong, to make them see what is right, to teach them to do what is right.

¹⁷ In this way a person who belongs to God has all he needs. He is ready for every kind of good work.

4 I say this before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge people who are living and people who are dead. I say this to you because he will come back and rule over all.

² Tell people the word of God. Be ready to do it at any time. Show people they are wrong and talk to them about it. Tell them what they should do. Be very patient with them and teach them in many ways.

³ The time is coming when people will not listen to good teaching. They will want to listen to the things they like to hear. And they will bring in many teachers who will teach them just what they want to do.

⁴ They will not listen to what is true, but will turn away and listen to strange stories.

⁵ But you, Timothy, must always be watching. Be patient in your troubles. Tell the good news. Do all the work God has given you to do.

18 Jesus told them a story to teach them that they should keep on talking with God and not give up.

² He said, `There was a judge in a city. He did not respect God or care about people.

³ There was a woman in that city whose husband was dead. The woman came to the judge again and again. She said, "Save me from my enemy!"

⁴ For a long time he would not do it. But after a time he said, "I do not respect God or care about people.

⁵ But this woman is troubling me. So I will save her from her enemy. If I do not, she will keep coming until I am tired." '

⁶ The Lord said, `The judge was a bad man. And yet you should listen to what he says.

⁷ When the people whom God has chosen call to him day and night, he will save them from their enemies. He may let them wait a time.

⁸ But I tell you, he will save them from their enemies soon. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any people who believe in him?'