22 Now that you have obeyed the truth and have purified your souls to love your brothers sincerely, you must love one another intensely and with a pure heart.
23 For you have been born again, not by a seed that perishes but by one that cannot perish—by the living and everlasting word of God.
24 For "All human life is like grass,and all its glory is like a flower in the grass. The grass dries up and the flower drops off,
25 but the word of the Lord lasts forever."Now this word is the good news that was announced to you.
9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some people understand slowness, but is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to come to repentance.
1 "At that time, the kingdom of heaven will be compared to ten bridesmaidswho took their oil lamps and went out to meet the groom.
2 Now five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
3 For when the foolish ones took their lamps, they didn't take any oil with them.
4 But the wise ones took flasks of oil with their lamps.
5 Since the groom was late, all of them became sleepy and lay down.
6 "But at midnight there came a shout: ‘The groom is here! Come out to meet him!’
7 Then all the bridesmaidswoke up and got their lamps ready.
8 But the foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out!’
9 But the wise ones replied, ‘No! There will never be enough for us and for you. Better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’
10 "While they were away buying it, the groom arrived. Those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet, and the door was closed.
11 Later the other bridesmaidsarrived and said, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us!’
12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don't know you!’
13 So keep on watching, because you don't know the day or the hour."
3 Not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
4 endurance produces character, and character produces hope.
7 So be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious crop from his land, being patient with it until it receives the fall and the spring rains.
8 You, too, must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is near.
11 We consider those who endured to be blessed. You have heard about Job's endurance and have seen the purpose of the Lord—that the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
11 You are being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might, so that you might patiently endure everything with joy