Besides all that, a great gulf yawns between us and you, to keep back those who want to cross from us to you and also those who want to pass from you to us.'

Our own hope was that he would be the redeemer of Israel; but he is dead, and that is three days ago!

Giving

So be the more eager, brothers, to ratify your calling and election, for as you practise these qualities you will never make a slip;

Then, beloved, as you are expecting this, be eager to be found by him unspotted and unblemished in serene assurance.

Work for no perishing food, but for that lasting food which means eternal life; the Son of man will give you that, for the Father, God, has certified him."

Therefore, my beloved, as you have been obedient always and not simply when I was present, so, now that I am absent, work all the more strenuously at your salvation with reverence and trembling,

It is my heart's desire that each of you would prove equally keen upon realizing your full hope to the very end,

and apart from faith it is impossible to satisfy him, for the man who draws near to God must believe that he exists and that he does reward those who seek him.

see to it that no one misses the grace of God, that no root of bitterness grows up to be a trouble by contaminating all the rest of you;

Virtue

Inasmuch as his power divine has bestowed on us every requisite for life and piety by the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence ??4 bestowing on us thereby promises precious and supreme, that by means of them you may escape the corruption produced within the world by lust, and participate in the divine nature ??5 for this very reason, do you contrive to make it your whole concern to furnish your faith with resolution, resolution with intelligence,

Finally, brothers, keep in mind whatever is true, whatever is worthy, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is attractive, whatever is high-toned, all excellence, all merit.

General references

in holiness and uprightness all our days within his presence.