who has saved us and called us to a life of consecration ??not for anything we have done but because he chose to do it himself, by the grace which he gave us ages ago in Christ Jesus

Of that gospel I have been appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher,

and this is why I am suffering. Still, I am not ashamed of it; I know whom I have trusted and I am certain he is able to keep what I have put into his hands till the great Day.

Model yourself on the sound instruction you have had from me in the faith and love of Christ Jesus.

You are aware that all the Asiatics have discarded me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

The farmer who has done the work must have the first share of the fruit.

for which I have to suffer imprisonment as if I were a criminal. (But there is no prison for the word of God.)

It is a sure word, that "If we have died with him, we shall live with him,

they have failed in the Truth by arguing that the resurrection has taken place already, and they are undermining some people's faith.

they will be treacherous, reckless and conceited, preferring pleasure to God ??5 for though they keep up a form of religion, they will have nothing to do with it as a force. Avoid all such.

Now you have followed my teaching, my practice, my aims, my faith, my patience, my love, my stedfastness,

but hold you to what you have been taught, hold to your convictions, remember who your teachers were,

remember you have known from childhood the sacred writings that can impart saving wisdom by faith in Christ Jesus.

I have fought in the good fight; I have run my course; I have kept the faith.

Now the crown of a good life awaits me, with which the Lord, that just Judge, will reward me on the great Day ??and not only me but all who have loved and longed for his appearance.

(I have had to send Tychicus to Ephesus.)

for he has been bitterly hostile to anything I have said.