1 Thessalonians 1.6-10
(Epistle)
6You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
7so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.
8For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out, so that we need not say anything.
9For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,
10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead: Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Hebrews 8.1-6
(Epistle, Paul the Confessor)
1Now in the things which we are saying, the main point is this: we have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,
2a servant of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, not man.
3For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer.
4For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law,
5who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned by God when he was about to make the tabernacle, for he said, “See, you shall make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain.”
6But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which on better promises has been given as law.
Luke 12.42-48
(Gospel)
42The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the right times?
43Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes.
44Truly I tell you that he will set him over all that he has.
45But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My lord delays his coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and to be drunken,
46then the lord of that servant will come in a day when he isn’t expecting him and in an hour that he doesn’t know, and will cut him in two, and place his portion with the unfaithful.
47That servant who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes,
48but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.
Luke 12.8-12
(Gospel, Paul the Confessor)
8“I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, the Son of Man will also confess before the angels of God;
9but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of God’s angels.
10Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
11When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don’t be anxious how or what you will answer or what you will say;
12for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say.”