⁵ But while the bridegroom was delayed, ^(A)they all slumbered and slept.

⁴ and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of ^(A)creation.” ⁵ For this they willfully forget: that ^(B)by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth ^(C)standing out of water and in the water, ^6 (D)by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. ⁷ But ^(E)the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for ^(F)fire until the day of judgment and ^[a]perdition of ungodly men.

⁸ But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and ^(G)a thousand years as one day. ^9 (H)The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but ^(I)is longsuffering toward ^[b]us, ^(J)not willing that any should perish but ^(K)that all should come to repentance.

^6 (A)Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but ^(B)let us watch and be ^[a]sober. ⁷ For ^(C)those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk ^(D)are drunk at night. ⁸ But let us who are of the day be sober, ^(E)putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers^(A)

⁹ Then He began to tell the people this parable: ^(B)“A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to ^[a]vinedressers, and went into a far country for a long time.

⁴⁸ But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master ^(A)is delaying ^[a]his coming,’

^36 (A)For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, ^(B)you may receive the promise:

^45 (A)But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk,

³⁷ Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? ^38 (A)Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. ^(B)The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”