For God's extreme anger is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people who restrain the truth [from being known and obeyed] by their wickedness.

For those people themselves report on what kind of a reception we had from you, and how you people turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God.

And [in addition], we know that the Son of God has come [in a physical body, See 4:2] and has given us understanding, so that we can know the True One [i.e., God], and that we are in [fellowship with] the True One, even His Son Jesus Christ. This Son is the true God and eternal life.

Into a lie

Then He said to them, "Now pour [some of it] out and take it to the banquet host." So, they took some to him,

The creature

and exchanged the honor belonging to the immortal God for the statues of mortal men, and birds, and animals and reptiles.

No person can serve two masters, for he will either hate the one and love the other, or else he will cling to the one and look down on the other. You cannot serve God and material things [at the same time].

The person who loves his father and mother more than me does not deserve me [i.e., to be my disciple]. And the person who loves his son or daughter more than me does not deserve me [i.e., to be my disciple].

treacherous [i.e., betrayers], reckless, conceited, [and] lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

You should not love the [godless] world, nor the things [i.e., the materialistic values] that are part of this [present] age. If any person loves the world, a [genuine] love for the Father is not in his heart.

Who is

They are descended from our forefathers; they are the ones from whom Christ was born physically. He is God over everything [Note: Or this may be "God is over everything"] and should be praised forever! May it be so.

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who should be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.

[I say] may there be praise to God in the church and in [or, "for"] Christ Jesus throughout all generations of people for ages and ages. May it be so.

found in the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me.