Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Rescued by God’s power

¹⁷ But you, my beloved ones, remember the words that were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus the Messiah. ¹⁸ “In the last time,” they said to you, “there will be scornful people who follow their own ungodly desires.” ¹⁹ These are the people who cause divisions. They are living on the merely human level; they do not have the spirit. ²⁰ But you, beloved ones, build yourselves up in your most holy faith. Pray in the holy spirit. ²¹ Keep yourselves in the love of God, as you wait for our Lord Jesus the Messiah to show you the mercy which leads to the life of the age to come.

²² With some people who are wavering, you must show mercy. ²³ Some you must rescue, snatching them from the fire. To others you must show mercy, but with fear, hating even the clothes that have been defiled by the flesh.

²⁴ Now to the one who is able to keep you standing upright, and to present you before his glory, undefiled and joyful— ²⁵ to the one and only God, our savior through Jesus the Messiah our Lord, be glory, majesty, power and authority before all the ages, and now, and to all the ages to come. Amen.