Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Those Who Sow in Tears Shall Reap with Joy

A Song of Ascents.

⁷ These are the days of the years of Abraham’s life that he lived, ^(A)175 years. ⁸ And Abraham breathed his last and died ^(B)in a good old age, an old man and full of days; 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 bought from the sons of Heth; there Abraham was buried with Sarah his wife. ¹¹ Now it happened after the death of Abraham, that ^(F)God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac ^[a]lived by ^(G)Beer-lahai-roi.

^13 (A)But we should always give thanks to God for you, ^(B)brothers beloved by the Lord, because ^(C)God has chosen you ^[a]as the first fruits ^(D)for salvation ^(E)through sanctification ^[b]by the Spirit and faith in the truth. ^14 [c]It was for this He ^(F)called you through ^(G)our gospel, ^[d]that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So then, brothers, ^(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)encourage your hearts and ^(Q)strengthen them in every good work and word.

Disobedient Brothers

3 ^(R)Finally, brothers, ^(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, who will strengthen and guard you ^[i]from ^(W)the evil one. ⁴ And we have ^(X)confidence in the Lord about you, that you ^(Y)are doing and will continue to do what we command. ⁵ And may the Lord ^(Z)direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.