Book of Common Prayer

The power of faith, hope, and love. How death reigned from Adam to Christ, by whom only we have forgiveness of sins.

5 Because therefore we are justified by faith, we are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² by whom we have a way in through faith, to this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in the hope of the glory to come, which shall be given by God. ³ Not only that, but we also rejoice in tribulation. For we know that trouble brings patience, ⁴ patience brings experience, and experience brings hope. ⁵ And our hope makes not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who is given to us.

⁶ For when we were yet weak, according to the time, Christ died for us who were ungodly. ⁷ Yet scarcely will anyone die for a righteous person; perhaps for a good person a man might dare to die. ⁸ But God sets out the love that he has for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then now, seeing we are justified in his blood, will we be saved from wrath through him. ¹⁰ For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, seeing we are reconciled, will we be preserved by his life. ¹¹ Not only this, but we also joy in God by the means of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have received reconciliation.

The marriage of the king’s son. Tribute should be given to the emperor. Christ confutes the opinion of the Sadducees concerning the resurrection, and answers the question posed by the scribe.

22 And Jesus spoke to them again in similitudes, saying, ² The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, ³ and sent forth his servants to call those who were bid to the wedding, and they would not come. ⁴ Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell those who are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fatted calves are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the marriage.

⁵ But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his farmstead, another about his wares. ⁶ The rest took his servants and shamefully abused them, and slew them.

⁷ When the king heard about this, he was furious, and sent forth his warriors and destroyed those murderers and burnt up their city. ⁸ Then said the king to his servants, The wedding was prepared, but those who were bidden were not worthy. ⁹ Go therefore out into the highways, and as many as you find, bid them to the marriage.

¹⁰ The servants went out into the highways and gathered together as many as they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding was furnished with guests. ¹¹ Then the king came in to visit the guests, and spotted there a man who did not have on a wedding garment, ¹² and said to him, Friend, how did it happen that you came in here and do not have on a wedding garment? And the man was quite speechless. ¹³ Then said the king to his servants, Take and bind him hand and foot, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ¹⁴ For many are called, but few are chosen.