"And the rainfell,and the floodscame,and the windsblewand slammed againstthat house;and [yet] it did not fall,for it had been foundedon the rock.
When the whirlwindpasses,the wickedis nomore,But the righteous[has] an everlastingfoundation.
"He will sitas a smelterand purifierof silver,and He will purifythe sonsof Leviand refinethem like goldand silver,so that they may presentto the LORDofferingsin righteousness.
"I alsosayto you that you are Peter,and upon thisrockI will buildMy church;and the gatesof Hadeswill not overpowerit.
"Thereforeeveryonewhohearsthesewordsof Mineand actson them, may be comparedto a wisemanwhobuilthis houseon the rock.
"Everyonewho hearsthesewordsof Mineand does not acton them, will be likea foolishmanwhobuilthis houseon the sand.
"The rainfell,and the floodscame,and the windsblewand slammed againstthat house;and it fell--and greatwas its fall."
strengtheningthe soulsof the disciples,encouragingthem to continuein the faith,and [saying], "Throughmanytribulationswe mustenterthe kingdomof God."
so that Christmay dwellin your heartsthroughfaith;[and] that you, being rootedand groundedin love,
having been firmly rooted[and now] being builtup in Him and establishedin your faith,justas you were instructed,[and] overflowingwith gratitude.
Blessedis a manwhoperseveresunder trial;for once he has beenapproved,he will receivethe crownof lifewhich[the Lord] has promisedto thosewho loveHim.
who are protectedby the powerof Godthroughfaithfor a salvationreadyto be revealedin the lasttime.
sothat the proofof your faith,[being] more preciousthan goldwhich is perishable,even thoughtestedby fire,may be foundto resultin praiseand gloryand honorat the revelationof JesusChrist;
They wentout from us, but they were not [really] of us; for ifthey had beenof us, they would have remainedwith us; but [they went out], sothat it would be shownthat they allare not of us.
