concerning whom we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become sluggish in hearing.

The hand of chosen men shall easily obtain rule, but the deceitful shall be for a prey.

Every slothful man desires, but the hands of the active are diligent.

The ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns, but those of the diligent are made smooth.

A man who helps not himself by his labor is brother of him that ruins himself.

A foolish man is like a farm, and a senseless man is like a vineyard.

Afterwards I reflected, I looked that I might receive instruction.

But if you do this, your poverty will come speedily; and your need like a swift courier.

"But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter.

not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

Therefore, brothers, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for by doing these things you shall by no means stumble at any time.

So therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every impediment, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you, of whom considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.

If you know not yourself, you fair one among women, go forth by the footsteps of the flocks, and feed your little goats by the shepherd's tents.

Thus says the Lord, Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths of the Lord; and see what is the good way and walk in it, and you shall find purification for your souls. But they said, We will not walk [in them].

and the father of circumcision to those not only of circumcision, but also to those following in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham [had while] in uncircumcision.

My brothers, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of evil suffering and of longsuffering.

Indeed we count those blessed who endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and you saw the end of the Lord--that He is compassionate and He is merciful.

For thus formerly, the holy women who hoped on God also adorned themselves, subjecting themselves to their own husbands,

as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, of whom you became children, when you do good and are not afraid of any terror.

And so, after he had been patient, he obtained the promise.

For you have need of endurance, so that having done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go forth to the place which he was about to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

for he waited for the city having foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Therefore even from one [man] they were begotten, and him as good as dead, just as the stars of the sky in multitude, and innumerable as the sand by the seashore.

For those saying such things make evident that they seek a fatherland.

But now they desire a better [land], that is, a heavenly [one]. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

But that which fell on the good ground, these are such who when they heard the word, with a noble and good heart, hold on to it and bear fruit with endurance.

to those who by the endurance of good works are seeking glory and honor and incorruption--eternal life.

But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly await it with endurance.

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.

constantly remembering your work of faith, labor of love, and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,

If anyone has captivity, he goes away; if anyone [is] with [the] sword, he must be killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.

Here is the endurance of the saints; those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

Are they not all ministering spirits being sent out to minister for the sake of those who are about to inherit salvation?

For you have need of endurance, so that having done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

By faith he migrated into a land of promise as [in] a foreign [land], dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the fellow heirs of the same promise;

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, had offered up Isaac, and he that received the promises offered up his only begotten [son],

who through faith overcame kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."

And it came to pass that the beggar died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.

Now even Moses revealed that the dead are raised, in [the passage about] the [burning] bush, when he called the Lord 'the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.'

"For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all are alive to Him."

And this is the promise which He Himself promised to you--eternal life.

And I heard a voice out of heaven saying, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now [on],' "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow with them."