The Ministry of Apostles

4 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and ^(A)stewards of the mysteries of God. ² Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

^5 (A)Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,^{[a] 6 (B)}who, though he was in ^(C)the form of God, did not count equality with God ^(D)a thing to be grasped,^{[b] 7} but ^(E)emptied himself, by taking the form of a ^(F)servant,^{[c] (G)}being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by ^(H)becoming obedient to the point of death, ^(I)even death on a cross.

^6 (A)do not be anxious about anything, ^(B)but in everything by prayer and supplication ^(C)with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Isaiah's Commission from the Lord

⁸ And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for ^(A)us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and ^(A)sin which clings so closely, and ^(B)let us run ^(C)with endurance the race that is ^(D)set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, ^(E)who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising ^(F)the shame, and ^(G)is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Do Not Grow Weary

^3 (H)Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or ^(I)fainthearted. ⁴ In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

¹⁹ Now ^(A)after a long time the master of those servants came and ^(B)settled accounts with them. ²⁰ And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ ²¹ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and ^(C)faithful servant.^{[a] (D)}You have been faithful over a little; ^(E)I will set you over much. Enter into ^(F)the joy of your master.’ ²² And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ ²³ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’