planting seeds for the harvest

⁹And so, let us not be deficient in doing good. For in due time, we shall reap without fail.

⁶I planted, Apollo watered, but God provided the growth. ⁷And so, neither he who plants, nor he who waters, is anything, but only God, who provides the growth. ⁸Now he who plants, and he who waters, are one. But each shall receive his proper reward, according to his labors. ⁹For we are God’s assistants. You are God’s cultivation; you are God’s construction.

⁷But when returning, they will arrive with exultation, carrying their sheaves.

⁷Therefore, be patient, brothers, until the advent of the Lord. Consider that the farmer anticipates the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently, until he receives the early and the late rains.

¹“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ²Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he will take away. And each one that does bear fruit, he will cleanse, so that it may bring forth more fruit. ³You are clean now, because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴Abide in me, and I in you. Just as the branch is not able to bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so also are you unable, unless you abide in me. ⁵I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit. For without me, you are able to do nothing. ⁶If anyone does not abide in me, he will be cast away, like a branch, and he will wither, and they will gather him and cast him into the fire, and he burns.

⁸And he will be like a tree planted beside waters, which sends out its roots to moist soil. And it will not fear when the heat arrives. And its leaves will be green. And in the time of drought, it will not be anxious, nor will it cease at any time to bear fruit.

³⁰Permit both to grow until the harvest, and at the time of the harvest, I will say to the reapers: Gather first the weeds, and bind them into bundles to burn, but the wheat gather into my storehouse.’ ”

⁷Therefore, be patient, brothers, until the advent of the Lord. Consider that the farmer anticipates the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently, until he receives the early and the late rains. ⁸Therefore, you too should be patient and should strengthen your hearts. For the advent of the Lord draws near. ⁹Brothers, do not complain against one another, so that you may not be judged. Behold, the judge stands before the door. ¹⁰My brothers, consider the Prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of departing from evil, of labor, and of patience. ¹¹Consider that we beatify those who have endured. You have heard of the patient suffering of Job. And you have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is merciful and compassionate.

²⁴Do you see that a man is justified by means of works, and not by faith alone?

²²All the days of the earth, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, night and day, will not cease.”