New Heavens and a New Earth
17 “For behold, I create lnew heavens
and a new earth,
and mthe former things shall not be remembered
nor come into mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in that which I create;
for behold, I create Jerusalem to be oa joy,
and her people to be a gladness.
19 pI will rejoice in Jerusalem
and be glad in my people;
qno more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping
and the cry of distress.
20 No more shall there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not fill out his days,
for the young man shall die a hundred years old,
and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.
21 rThey shall build houses and inhabit them;
they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 They shall not sbuild and another inhabit;
they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
and my chosen shall long enjoy1 the work of their hands.
23 They shall not labor in vain
or bear children for calamity,2
for they shall be the toffspring of the blessed of the Lord,
and their descendants with them.
24 uBefore they call I will answer;
vwhile they are yet speaking I will hear.
25 wThe wolf and the lamb shall graze together;
the lion shall eat straw like the ox,
and xdust shall be the serpent’s food.
They shall not hurt or destroy
in all ymy holy mountain,”
says the Lord.
17 uLet the velders who wrule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 xFor the Scripture says, y“You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, z“The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except aon the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, brebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 cIn the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, ddoing nothing from partiality. 22 eDo not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and feven those that are not cannot remain hidden.
The Great Commandment
28 kAnd one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, l‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall mlove the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: n‘You shall olove your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said pthat qhe is one, and there is no other besides him. 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much rmore than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.
