Today's readings - a promise & an appeal

 Reading 1, Jeremiah 33:14-16

¹⁴ "Look, the days are coming, Yahweh declares, when I shall fulfil the promise of happiness I made to the House of Israel and the House of Judah:
¹⁵ In those days and at that time, I shall make an upright Branch grow for David, who will do what is just and upright in the country.
¹⁶ In those days Judah will triumph and Israel live in safety. And this is the name the city will be called: Yahweh-is-our-Saving-Justice."

Reading 2, First Thessalonians 3:12--4:2

¹² May the Lord increase and enrich your love for each other and for all, so that it matches ours for you.
¹³ And may he so confirm your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless in the sight of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
¹ Finally, brothers, we urge you and appeal to you in the Lord Jesus; we instructed you how to live in the way that pleases God, and you are so living; but make more progress still.
² You are well aware of the instructions we gave you on the authority of the Lord Jesus.