Thursday in the Thirtieth Week after Pentecost

The Lesson of the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews.
Hebrews §326 (10:35-11:7).
Brethren: Do not lose your confidence, which hath a great reward. For patience is necessary for you; that, doing the will of God, you may receive the promise. For yet a little and a very little while, and He that is to come, will come, and will not delay. But my just man liveth by faith; but if he withdraw himself, he shall not please my soul. But we are not the children of withdrawing unto perdition, but of faith to the saving of the soul. Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that appear not. For by this the ancients obtained a testimony. By faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God; that from invisible things visible things might be made. By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice exceeding that of Cain, by which he obtained a testimony that he was just, God giving testimony to his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Henoch was translated, that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had testimony that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that cometh to God, must believe that He is, and is a rewarder to them that seek Him. By faith Noe, having received an answer concerning those things which as yet were not seen, moved with fear, framed the ark for the saving of his house, by the which he condemned the world; and was instituted heir of the justice which is by faith.

The Lesson of the Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark.
Saint Mark §39 (9:9-15).
At that time: The disciples kept the word of Jesus to themselves; questioning together what that should mean, when He shall be risen from the dead. And they asked Him, saying: Why then do the Pharisees and scribes say that Elias must come first? Who answering, said to them: Elias, when he shall come first, shall restore all things; and as it is written of the Son of man, that He must suffer many things and be despised. But I say to you, that Elias also is come, (and they have done to him whatsoever they would,) as it is written of him. And coming to His disciples, He saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes disputing with them. And presently all the people seeing Jesus, were astonished and struck with fear; and running to Him, they saluted Him. And He asked them: What do you question about among you?