Only let your manner of life be as it becomes the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not restrained my lips, O LORD, you know.

O God, you have taught me from my youth: and to this day have I declared your wondrous works.

What I tell you in darkness, that speak in light: and what you hear in the ear, that preach upon the housetops.

Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

But what says it? The word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is thirsty come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

The word

It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you fears God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

For the word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

That i may

That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

As also you have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as you also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

That i have

Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing, and in vain: yet surely my due justice is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God.

I therefore so run, not with uncertainty; so fight I, not as one that beats the air:

And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them who were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

I am afraid for you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.

For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor be in vain.

General references

As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.