Friday, November 17

9For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

10who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

11Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

12And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

13and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

15See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

16Rejoice always,

17pray without ceasing,

18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

19Do not quench the Spirit.

20Do not despise prophecies.

21Test all things; hold fast what is good.

22Abstain from every form of evil.

23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

25Brethren, pray for us.

26Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.

28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

15And He said to them, 'You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

16'The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.

17And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

18'Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.

19'There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.

20But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate,

21desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.

23And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24'Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.'

25But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.

26And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.'

27'Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house,

28for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.'

29Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.'

30And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'

31But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.' '

1Then He said to the disciples, 'It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!

2It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

3Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

4And if he sins against you seven times in day, and seven times in day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him.'