Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you fail the test.

Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,

Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.

I pray that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for the glory of Christ.

And abound

Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity.

And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment,

rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude.

Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.

And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we also do for you.

Finally then, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received from us how you must walk and please God—as you are doing—do so even more.

We must always thank God for you, brothers. This is right, since your faith is flourishing and the love each one of you has for one another is increasing.

They

If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.

For if we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we have a sound mind, it is for you.

Barren

Laziness induces deep sleep,
and a lazy person will go hungry.

When he went out about nine in the morning, he saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing.

“But his master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy slave! If you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered,

Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.

At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say.

so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.

In

May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

General references

Carefully observe the commands of the Lord your God, the decrees and statutes He has commanded you.

Because of laziness the roof caves in,
and because of negligent hands the house leaks.

in holiness and righteousness
in His presence all our days.