Luke 9:23-27

²³ He said to all, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same will save it. ²⁵ For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self? ²⁶ For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed, when he comes in his glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels. ²⁷ But I tell you the truth: There are some of those who stand here, who will in no way taste of death, until they see God’s Kingdom.”

Colossians 1:1-2

¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, ² to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:7-11

⁷ even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, ⁸ who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. ⁹ For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰ that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹ strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy;