"Striveto enterthroughthe narrowdoor;for many,I tellyou, will seekto enterand will not be able.
A scofferseekswisdomand [finds] none,But knowledgeis easyto one who hasunderstanding.
The desireof the sluggardputshim to death,For his handsrefuseto work;
The toilof a fool[so] wearieshim that he does not [even] knowhow to goto a city.
"So when you spreadout your hands[in prayer], I will hideMy eyesfrom you; Yes,eventhoughyou multiplyprayers,I will not listen.Your handsare coveredwith blood.
"They cometo you as peoplecome,and sitbeforeyou [as] My peopleand hearyour words,but they do not dothem, for they dothe lustfuldesires[expressed] by their mouth,[and] their heartgoesaftertheir gain.
"From the daysof Johnthe Baptistuntilnowthe kingdomof heavensuffers violence,and violent mentake it by force.
And someonesaidto Him, "Lord,are there [just] a fewwho are being saved?"And He saidto them,
"But keep on the alertat alltimes,prayingthat you may have strengthto escapeallthese thingsthat are aboutto take place,and to standbeforethe Sonof Man."
"Little children,I amwith you a little whilelonger.You will seekMe; and as I saidto the Jews,nowI alsosayto you, 'WhereI am going,you cannotcome.'
for an angelof the Lordwent downat certainseasonsinto the pooland stirredup the water;whoever thenfirst,afterthe stirringup of the water,steppedin was madewellfrom whateverdiseasewith whichhe was afflicted].
"Do not workfor the foodwhich perishes,but for the foodwhich enduresto eternallife,whichthe Sonof Manwill giveto you, for on Him the Father,God,has set His seal."
"You will seekMe, and will not findMe; and whereI am,you cannotcome."
ThenHe saidagainto them, "I goaway,and you will seekMe, and will diein your sin;whereI am going,you cannotcome."
For not knowingabout God'srighteousnessand seekingto establishtheir own,they did not subjectthemselves to the righteousnessof God.
For thispurpose alsoI labor,strivingaccordingto His power, which mightilyworkswithinme.
Thereforelet us be diligentto enterthat rest,sothat noonewill fall,through[following] the sameexampleof disobedience.
They returnedto Joshuaand saidto him, "Do not let allthe peoplegoup; [only] about two orthreethousandmenneed goup to Ai;do not make allthe peopletoilup there,for they are few."
Therefore,brethren,be all the morediligentto makecertainabout His callingand choosingyou; for as long as you practicethese things,you will neverstumble;
