22 Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere love for the brothers, love one another fervently from a pure heart,
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.
24 For "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man is as the flower of [the] grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away,
25 but the word of the LORD endures forever."Now this is the word which was proclaimed to you.
9 The Lord does not delay concerning His promise, as some reckon slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
1 "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who having taken their lamps, went out to meet the bridegroom.
2 Now five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish.
3 Those who [were] foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them,
4 but the wise took oil in their vessels along with their lamps.
5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.
6 And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!'
7 "Then all those virgins arose, and they trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us [some] of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
9 "But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for you and us; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'
10 "But as they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
11 Afterward the remaining virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'
12 "But he answered and said, 'Assuredly I say to you, I do not know you.'
13 "Watch therefore, for you do not know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
11 Indeed we count those blessed who endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and you saw the end of the Lord-that He is compassionate and He is merciful.
11 being strengthened with all power, according to the might of His glory, for all endurance and longsuffering with joy;
7 Therefore be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer awaits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient for it, until it receives the early and late rain.
8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, because the coming of the Lord has drawn near.
3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces endurance;
4 and endurance, character; and character, hope.