22 Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart.
23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
24 For, »All flesh is like grass,and all its glory like the flower of grass.The grass withers,and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord stands forever.« And this is the word which was preached to you.
9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
1 »Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them;
4 but the wise took oil in their flasks with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
6 But at midnight there was a cry: Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins rose and 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 replied, No, there may not be enough for both us and you; go rather to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.
10 And while they went 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 other virgins came also, saying, Lord, lord, open to us!
12 But he replied, Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.
13 Therefore keep watch, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
3 And not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rains.
8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,
11 Behold, we call those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.