For you were going astray like sheep but now you have turned back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

So they are astonished when you do not rush with them into the same flood of wickedness, and they vilify you.

Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour.

Dear friends, this is already the second letter I have written you, in which I am trying to stir up your pure mind by way of reminder:

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit,

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me.

so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they?

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

When the Pharisees saw this they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.

He answered them, “And why do you disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition?

After they arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Your teacher pays the double drachma tax, doesn’t he?”

So also my heavenly Father will do to you, if each of you does not forgive your brother from your heart.”

telling them, “Go to the village ahead of you. Right away you will find a donkey tied there, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me.

For this reason I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’

teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Now immediately, when Jesus realized in his spirit that they were contemplating such thoughts, he said to them, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?