But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would.

For you all are sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of the darkness.

For those who sleep, sleep at night and those who get drunk are drunk at night.

But since we are of the day, we must stay sober by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet our hope for salvation.

He died for us so that whether we are alert or asleep we will come to life together with him.

Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.

As a result we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions you are enduring.

This is evidence of God's righteous judgment, to make you worthy of the kingdom of God, for which in fact you are suffering.

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.

and with every kind of evil deception directed against those who are perishing, because they found no place in their hearts for the truth so as to be saved.

And we are confident about you in the Lord that you are both doing -- and will do -- what we are commanding.

For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others.

They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or the things they insist on so confidently.

But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that in me as the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life.

Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

Likewise the women are to dress in suitable apparel, with modesty and self-control. Their adornment must not be with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive clothing,

And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless.

influenced by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared.

Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity.

Honor widows who are truly in need.

And besides that, going around from house to house they learn to be lazy, and they are not only lazy, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things they should not.

If a believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. The church should not be burdened, so that it may help the widows who are truly in need.

The sins of some people are obvious, going before them into judgment, but for others, they show up later.

Similarly good works are also obvious, and the ones that are not cannot remain hidden.

Those who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent the name of God and Christian teaching from being discredited.

Command those who are rich in this world's goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.

Hold to the standard of sound words that you heard from me and do so with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself.

and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group.

They have strayed from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people's faith.

However, God's solid foundation remains standing, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil."

Now in a wealthy home there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use.

and they will come to their senses and escape the devil's trap where they are held captive to do his will.

For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions.

Such women are always seeking instruction, yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people -- who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith -- also oppose the truth.

You, however, must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know who taught you

and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

For there are many rebellious people, idle talkers, and deceivers, especially those with Jewish connections,

A certain one of them, in fact, one of their own prophets, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."

All is pure to those who are pure. But to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their minds and consciences are corrupted.

They profess to know God but with their deeds they deny him, since they are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.

Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

Older women likewise are to exhibit behavior fitting for those who are holy, not slandering, not slaves to excessive drinking, but teaching what is good.

Slaves are to be subject to their own masters in everything, to do what is wanted and not talk back,

He gave himself for us to set us free from every kind of lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are truly his, who are eager to do good.

This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths, so that those who have placed their faith in God may be intent on engaging in good works. These things are good and beneficial for all people.

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law, because they are useless and empty.

For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my son! Today I have fathered you"? And in another place he says, "I will be his father and he will be my son."

And, "You founded the earth in the beginning, Lord, and the heavens are the works of your hands.

and like a robe you will fold them up and like a garment they will be changed, but you are the same and your years will never run out."

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to serve those who will inherit salvation?

For he did not put the world to come, about which we are speaking, under the control of angels.

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

But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. We are of his house, if in fact we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope we take pride in.

"Therefore, I became provoked at that generation and said, 'Their hearts are always wandering and they have not known my ways.'

For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.

He is able to deal compassionately with those who are ignorant and erring, since he also is subject to weakness,

So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming high priest, but the one who glorified him was God, who said to him, "You are my Son! Today I have fathered you,"

as also in another place God says, "You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek."

But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil.

and then have committed apostasy, to renew them again to repentance, since they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves all over again and holding him up to contempt.

But in your case, dear friends, even though we speak like this, we are convinced of better things relating to salvation.

And those of the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have authorization according to the law to collect a tithe from the people, that is, from their fellow countrymen, although they too are descendants of Abraham.

and in one case tithes are received by mortal men, while in the other by him who is affirmed to be alive.

Yet the one these things are spoken about belongs to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever officiated at the altar.

For here is the testimony about him: "You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek."

but Jesus did so with a sworn affirmation by the one who said to him, "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever'" --

Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We have such a high priest, one who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,

Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.

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.

They served only for matters of food and drink and various washings; they are external regulations imposed until the new order came.

For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow sprinkled on those who are defiled consecrated them and provided ritual purity,

And so he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the eternal inheritance he has promised, since he died to set them free from the violations committed under the first covenant.

And just as people are appointed to die once, and then to face judgment,

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),

where he is now waiting until his enemies are made a footstool for his feet.

For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are made holy.

not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near.

But we are not among those who shrink back and thus perish, but are among those who have faith and preserve their souls.

For those who speak in such a way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us,

But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons.

and congregation of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect,

So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing to God in devotion and awe.

For the bodies of those animals whose blood the high priest brings into the sanctuary as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp.

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to conduct ourselves rightly in every respect.

But you have dishonored the poor! Are not the rich oppressing you and dragging you into the courts?

But if you fulfill the royal law as expressed in this scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well.

But if you show prejudice, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as violators.

Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot's inclination directs.

Do not speak against one another, brothers and sisters. He who speaks against a fellow believer or judges a fellow believer speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but its judge.

But there is only one who is lawgiver and judge -- the one who is able to save and destroy. On the other hand, who are you to judge your neighbor?

You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like? For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes.

Come now, you rich! Weep and cry aloud over the miseries that are coming on you.

From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those temporarily residing abroad (in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bithynia) who are chosen

who by God's power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

because you are attaining the goal of your faith -- the salvation of your souls.

Through him you now trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.