Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Thanksgiving for Return from Captivity.

A Song of Ascents.

⁷ These are ^[a]all the years of Abraham’s life that he lived, ^(A)one hundred and seventy-five years. ⁸ Abraham breathed his last and died ^(B)in a ^[b]ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was ^(C)gathered to his people. ⁹ Then his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in ^(D)the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, facing Mamre, ^10 (E)the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth; there Abraham was buried with Sarah his wife. ¹¹ It came about after the death of Abraham, that ^(F)God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac ^[c]lived by ^(G)Beer-lahai-roi.

^13 (A)But we should always give thanks to God for you, ^(B)brethren beloved by the Lord, because ^(C)God has chosen you ^[a]from the beginning ^(D)for salvation ^[b](E)through sanctification ^[c]by the Spirit and faith in the truth. ¹⁴ It was for this He ^(F)called you through ^(G)our gospel, ^[d]that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So then, brethren, ^(H)stand firm and ^(I)hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether ^(J)by word of mouth or ^(K)by letter ^[e]from us.

^16 (L)Now may our Lord Jesus Christ ^(M)Himself and God our Father, who has ^(N)loved us and given us eternal comfort and ^(O)good hope by grace, ^17 (P)comfort and ^(Q)strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

Exhortation

3 ^(R)Finally, brethren, ^(S)pray for us that ^(T)the word of the Lord will ^[f]spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; ² and that we will be ^(U)rescued from ^[g]perverse and evil men; for not all have ^[h]faith. ³ But ^(V)the Lord is faithful, ^[i]and He will strengthen and protect you ^[j]from ^(W)the evil one. ⁴ We have ^(X)confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you ^(Y)are doing and will continue to do what we command. ⁵ May the Lord ^(Z)direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.