Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

A Joyful Return to Zion

A Song of Ascents.

Abraham’s Death and Burial

⁷ This is the sum of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred and seventy-five years. ⁸ Then Abraham breathed his last and ^(A)died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and ^(B)was gathered to his people. ⁹ And ^(C)his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of ^(D)Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, ^10 (E)the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth. ^(F)There Abraham was buried, and Sarah his wife. ¹¹ And it came to pass, after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac. And Isaac dwelt at ^(G)Beer Lahai Roi.

Stand Fast

¹³ But we are ^[a]bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God ^(A)from the beginning ^(B)chose you for salvation ^(C)through ^[b]sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, ¹⁴ to which He called you by our gospel, for ^(D)the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ Therefore, brethren, ^(E)stand fast and hold ^(F)the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our ^[c]epistle.

¹⁶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, ^(G)who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and ^(H)good hope by grace, ¹⁷ comfort your hearts ^(I)and ^[d]establish you in every good word and work.

Pray for Us

3 Finally, brethren, ^(J)pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, ² and ^(K)that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; ^(L)for not all have faith.

³ But ^(M)the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and ^(N)guard you from the evil one. ⁴ And ^(O)we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.

⁵ Now may ^(P)the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.