Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

A Song of Ascents.

⁷ These are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred seventy-five years. ⁸ Abraham gave up his spirit, and died at a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people. ⁹ Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is near Mamre, ¹⁰ the field which Abraham purchased from the children of Heth. Abraham was buried there with Sarah, his wife. ¹¹ After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac, his son. Isaac lived by Beer Lahai Roi.

¹³ But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth, ¹⁴ to which he called you through our Good News, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So then, brothers, stand firm and hold the traditions which you were taught by us, whether by word or by letter.

¹⁶ Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, ¹⁷ comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.

3 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you, ² and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for not all have faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. ⁴ We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and into the perseverance of Christ.