Who, though he was in the form of God,/ did not regard equality with God something to be grasped./ Rather, he emptied himself,/ taking the form of a slave,/ coming in human likeness;/ and, found human in appearance,/ he humbled himself,/ becoming obedient to death,/ even death on a cross./ Because of this, God greatly exalted him/ and bestowed on him the name/ that is above every name,/ that at the name of Jesus/ every knee should bend,/ of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,/ and every tongue confess that/ Jesus Christ is Lord,/ to the glory of God the Father.

Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

Brothers and sisters: Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

The souls of the just are in the hand of God,/ and no torment shall touch them./ They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;/ and their passing away was thought an affliction/ and their going forth from us, utter destruction./ But they are in peace./ For if before men, indeed, they be punished,/ yet is their hope full of immortality;/ chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,/ because God tried them/ and found them worthy of himself./ As gold in the furnace, he proved them,/ and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself./ In the time of their visitation they shall shine,/ and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;/ they shall judge nations and rule over peoples,/ and the Lord shall be their King forever./ Those who trust in him shall understand truth,/ and the faithful shall abide with him in love:/ because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,/ and his care is with his elect.

Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.