But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion for those who were in prison, and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more lasting. Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet ‘in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay; but my righteous one will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back.’ But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved.
1 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart; *
before the gods will I sing praise to you.
2 I will bow down towards your holy temple and praise your name,
because of your love and faithfulness; *
for you have glorified your name
and your word above all things.
3 In the day that I called to you, you answered me; *
you put new strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord, *
for they have heard the words of your mouth.
5 They shall sing of the ways of the Lord, *
that great is the glory of the Lord.
6 Though the Lord be high, he watches over the lowly; *
as for the proud, he regards them from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you will preserve me; *
you will stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;
your right hand will save me.
8 The Lord shall make good his purpose for me; *
your loving-kindness, O Lord, endures for ever;
forsake not the work of your hands.
10 How shall I repay the Lord *
for all the benefits he has given to me?
11 I will lift up the cup of salvation *
and call upon the name of the Lord.
12 I will fulfil my vows to the Lord *
in the presence of all his people.
13 Precious in the sight of the Lord *
is the death of his faithful servants.
14 O Lord, I am your servant, *
your servant, the child of your handmaid;
you have freed me from my bonds.
15 I will offer to you a sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and call upon the name of the Lord.
16 I will fulfil my vows to the Lord *
in the presence of all his people,
17 In the courts of the house of the Lord, *
in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Alleluia.
‘Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.