Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines our hearts.

Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children.

We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers. Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you.

You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves with you believers.

For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, since you have also suffered the same things from people of your own country, just as they did from the Jews

hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. As a result, they are always completing the number of their sins, and wrath has overtaken them at last.

But as for us, brothers, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart), we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face.

So we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.

And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith,

so that no one will be shaken by these persecutions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love and reported that you always have good memories of us, wanting to see us, as we also want to see you.

as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?

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.

For this is God’s will, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality,

so that each of you knows how to control his own body in sanctification and honor,

In fact, you are doing this toward all the brothers in the entire region of Macedonia. But we encourage you, brothers, to do so even more,

so that you may walk properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord.

When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

But you, brothers, are not in the dark, for this day to overtake you like a thief.

So then, we must not sleep, like the rest, but we must stay awake and be serious.

who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.

See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.

Give thanks in everything,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Therefore, we ourselves boast about you among God’s churches—about your endurance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions you endure.

It is a clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you also are suffering,

These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from His glorious strength

so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s sanctuary, publicizing that he himself is God.

And you know what currently restrains him, so that he will be revealed in his time.

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one now restraining will do so until he is out of the way,

The coming of the lawless one is based on Satan’s working, with all kinds of false miracles, signs, and wonders,

For this reason God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe what is false,

so that all will be condemned—those who did not believe the truth but enjoyed unrighteousness.

He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, brothers, pray for us that the Lord’s message may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you,

May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.

we did not eat anyone’s food free of charge; instead, we labored and struggled, working night and day, so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

It is not that we don’t have the right to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate us.

And if anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take note of that person; don’t associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.

As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach different doctrine

or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith.

But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate His extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies previously made about you, so that by them you may strongly engage in battle,

Hymenaeus and Alexander are among them, and I have delivered them to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

(If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?)

Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil’s trap.

But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to act in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.

Command this also, so they won’t be blamed.

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.

If any believing woman has widows in her family, she should help them, and the church should not be burdened, so that it can help those who are genuinely widows.

Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will also be afraid.

Some people’s sins are obvious, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others surface later.

All who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters to be worthy of all respect, so that God’s name and His teaching will not be blasphemed.

the only One who has immortality,
dwelling in unapproachable light;
no one has seen or can see Him,
to Him be honor and eternal might.
Amen.

storing up for themselves a good reserve for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life that is real.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, for the promise of life in Christ Jesus:

Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy,

So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.

Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

I suffer for it to the point of being bound like a criminal, but God’s message is not bound.

This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription:

The Lord knows those who are His, and
Everyone who names the name of the Lord
must turn away from unrighteousness.

So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient,

Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap, having been captured by him to do his will.

Just as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the truth, men who are corrupt in mind, worthless in regard to the faith.

so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the proclamation might be fully made through me and all the Gentiles might hear. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to build up the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,

For an overseer, as God’s administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money,

holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.

This testimony is true. So, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith

so they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children,

to be self-controlled, pure, homemakers, kind, and submissive to their husbands, so that God’s message will not be slandered.

Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.

or stealing, but demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything.

Say these things, and encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

so that having been justified by His grace,
we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.

This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone.

Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey, so that they will lack nothing.

And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works for cases of urgent need, so that they will not be unfruitful.

I wanted to keep him with me, so that in my imprisonment for the gospel he might serve me in your place.

But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will.

For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently,

no longer as a slave, but more than a slave—as a dearly loved brother. He is especially so to me, but even more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

So if you consider me a partner, accept him as you would me.

Since I am confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, and so do

So He became higher in rank than the angels, just as the name He inherited is superior to theirs.

For to which of the angels did He ever say, You are My Son; today I have become Your Father, or again, I will be His Father, and He will be My Son?

When He again brings His firstborn into the world, He says, And all God’s angels must worship Him.

We must, therefore, pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.

and subjected everything under his feet.

For in subjecting everything to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to him.