I said before when I was present the second time and now, though absent, I say again to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone,

Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive I may not have to deal harshly with you by using my authority -- the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!

But when the one who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace was pleased

On the contrary, when they saw that I was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised just as Peter was to the circumcised

and when James, Cephas, and John, who had a reputation as pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we would go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he had clearly done wrong.

Until certain people came from James, he had been eating with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he stopped doing this and separated himself because he was afraid of those who were pro-circumcision.

But when I saw that they were not behaving consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, "If you, although you are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you try to force the Gentiles to live like Jews?"

Brothers and sisters, I offer an example from everyday life: When a covenant has been ratified, even though it is only a human contract, no one can set it aside or add anything to it.

So also we, when we were minors, were enslaved under the basic forces of the world.

But when the appropriate time had come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

Formerly when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods at all.

However, it is good to be sought eagerly for a good purpose at all times, and not only when I am present with you.

For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

He did this when he revealed to us the secret of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ,

And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation) -- when you believed in Christ -- you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit,

I do not cease to give thanks for you when I remember you in my prayers.

This power he exercised in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms

when he nullified in his flesh the law of commandments in decrees. He did this to create in himself one new man out of two, thus making peace,

When reading this, you will be able to understand my insight into this secret of Christ.

Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he captured captives; he gave gifts to men."

not like those who do their work only when someone is watching -- as people-pleasers -- but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart.

Pray for me also, that I may be given the message when I begin to speak -- that I may confidently make known the mystery of the gospel,

so that what you can be proud of may increase because of me in Christ Jesus, when I come back to you.

Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you can rejoice and I can be free from anxiety.

And as you Philippians know, at the beginning of my gospel ministry, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in this matter of giving and receiving except you alone.

We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him.

You also lived your lives in this way at one time, when you used to live among them.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in every respect, not only when they are watching -- like those who are strictly people-pleasers -- but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord.

in that our gospel did not come to you merely in words, but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you).

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you received the message with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, despite great affliction.

And so we too constantly thank God that when you received God's message that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human message, but as it truly is, God's message, which is at work among you who believe.

But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters, for a short time (in presence, not in affection) we became all the more fervent in our great desire to see you in person.

So when we could bear it no longer, we decided to stay on in Athens alone.

For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know.

So when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter somehow tempted you and our toil had proven useless.

Now when they are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape.

and to you who are being afflicted to give rest together with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.

when he comes to be glorified among his saints and admired on that day among all who have believed -- and you did in fact believe our testimony.

For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: "If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat."

As I urged you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to spread false teachings,

Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, given to you and confirmed by prophetic words when the elders laid hands on you.

I am thankful to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I remember you in my prayers as I do constantly night and day.

But when he arrived in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me.

For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things.

When you come, bring with you the cloak I left in Troas with Carpas and the scrolls, especially the parchments.

But "when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared,

When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.

The Son is the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence, and he sustains all things by his powerful word, and so when he had accomplished cleansing for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

But when he again brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all the angels of God worship him!"

You put all things under his control." For when he put all things under his control, he left nothing outside of his control. At present we do not yet see all things under his control,

For since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

And no one assumes this honor on his own initiative, but only when called to it by God, as in fact Aaron was.

Now when God made his promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself,

For he was still in his ancestor Abraham's loins when Melchizedek met him.

For when the priesthood changes, a change in the law must come as well.

But showing its fault, God says to them, "Look, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will complete a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.

"It will not be like the covenant that I made with their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not continue in my covenant and I had no regard for them, says the Lord.

When he speaks of a new covenant, he makes the first obsolete. Now what is growing obsolete and aging is about to disappear.

This was a symbol for the time then present, when gifts and sacrifices were offered that could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper.

For when Moses had spoken every command to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats with water and scarlet wool and hyssop and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,

So when he came into the world, he said, "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me.

When he says above, "Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sin-offerings you did not desire nor did you take delight in them" (which are offered according to the law),

But when this priest had offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, he sat down at the right hand of God,

But remember the former days when you endured a harsh conflict of suffering after you were enlightened.

By faith Noah, when he was warned about things not yet seen, with reverent regard constructed an ark for the deliverance of his family. Through faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place he would later receive as an inheritance, and he went out without understanding where he was going.

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He had received the promises, yet he was ready to offer up his only son.

By faith, when Moses was born, his parents hid him for three months, because they saw the child was beautiful and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

By faith, when he grew up, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,

By faith they crossed the Red Sea as if on dry ground, but when the Egyptians tried it, they were swallowed up.

And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons? "My son, do not scorn the Lord's discipline or give up when he corrects you.

For you know that later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing with tears.

Take care not to refuse the one who is speaking! For if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less shall we, if we reject the one who warns from heaven?

You should know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon, he will be with me when I see you.

My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials,

Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.

But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires.

Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death.

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?

And similarly, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another way?

Or do you think the scripture means nothing when it says, "The spirit that God caused to live within us has an envious yearning"?

Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold -- gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away -- and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

They probed into what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified beforehand about the sufferings appointed for Christ and his subsequent glory.

Therefore, get your minds ready for action by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

and maintain good conduct among the non-Christians, so that though they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears.

When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly.

when they see your pure and reverent conduct.

like Sarah who obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You become her children when you do what is good and have no fear in doing so.

Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you.

after they were disobedient long ago when God patiently waited in the days of Noah as an ark was being constructed. In the ark a few, that is eight souls, were delivered through water.

So they are astonished when you do not rush with them into the same flood of wickedness, and they vilify you.

But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad.

Then when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that never fades away.

For we did not follow cleverly concocted fables when we made known to you the power and return of our Lord Jesus Christ; no, we were eyewitnesses of his grandeur.

For he received honor and glory from God the Father, when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory: "This is my dear Son, in whom I am delighted."

When this voice was conveyed from heaven, we ourselves heard it, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

and if he did not spare the ancient world, but did protect Noah, a herald of righteousness, along with seven others, when God brought a flood on an ungodly world,