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).

For from you the message of the Lord has echoed forth not just in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place reports of your faith in God have spread, so that we do not need to say anything.

But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of much opposition.

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.

with such affection for you we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

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.

because they hinder us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. Thus they constantly fill up their measure of sins, but wrath has come upon them completely.

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.

For we wanted to come to you (I, Paul, in fact tried again and again) but Satan thwarted us.

But now Timothy has come to us from you and given us the good news of your faith and love and that you always think of us with affection and long to see us just as we also long to see you!

For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness.

Consequently the one who rejects this is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

And indeed you are practicing it toward all the brothers and sisters in all of Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,

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

So then we must not sleep as the rest, but must stay alert and sober.

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.

For God did not destine us for wrath but for gaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

But examine all things; hold fast to what is good.

And so all of them who have not believed the truth but have delighted in evil will be condemned.

But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

But we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplined life and not according to the tradition they received from us.

It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate.

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

But you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing what is right.

But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note of him and do not associate closely with him, so that he may be ashamed.

Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

But the aim of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

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 we know that the law is good if someone uses it legitimately,

realizing that law is not intended for a righteous person, but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,

even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I was treated with mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief,

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.

but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God.

But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man. She must remain quiet.

And Adam was not deceived, but the woman, because she was fully deceived, fell into transgression.

But she will be delivered through childbearing, if she continues in faith and love and holiness with self-control.

not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money.

But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God?

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you

But reject those myths fit only for the godless and gullible, and train yourself for godliness.

For "physical exercise has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come."

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.

Do not address an older man harshly but appeal to him as a father. Speak to younger men as brothers,

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to fulfill their duty toward their own household and so repay their parents what is owed them. For this is what pleases God.

But the widow who is truly in need, and completely on her own, has set her hope on God and continues in her pleas and prayers night and day.

But the one who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.

But if someone does not provide for his own, especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

But do not accept younger widows on the list, because their passions may lead them away from Christ and they will desire to marry,

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.

(Stop drinking just water, but use a little wine for your digestion and your frequent illnesses.)

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

But those who have believing masters must not show them less respectTeach them and exhort them about these things.

he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in controversies and verbal disputes. This gives rise to envy, dissension, slanders, evil suspicions,

But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that.

But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that. Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness.

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.

For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.

So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, a prisoner for his sake, but by God's power accept your share of suffering for the gospel.

He is the one who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

but now made visible through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. He has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel!

Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me until that day.

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

for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God's message is not imprisoned!

But avoid profane chatter, because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness,

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.

But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

But reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed infighting.

And the Lord's slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient,

But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.

But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone, just like it was with Jannes and Jambres.

But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves.

And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths.

Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day -- and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed for all the Gentiles to hear. And so I was delivered from the lion's mouth!

But now in his own time he has made his message evident through the preaching I was entrusted with according to the command of God our Savior.

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.

But as for you, communicate the behavior that goes with sound teaching.

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.

not pilfering, but showing all good faith, in order to bring credit to the teaching of God our Savior in everything.

They must not slander anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people.

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

he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit,

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

who was formerly useless to you, but is now useful to you and me.

However, without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your good deed would not be out of compulsion, but from your own willingness.

no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dear brother. He is especially so to me, and even more so to you now, both humanly speaking and in the Lord.

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

but of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and a righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom.

They will perish, but you continue. And they will all grow old like a garment,

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."

But to which of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"?

but we see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by God's grace he would experience death on behalf of everyone.

For surely his concern is not for angels, but he is concerned for Abraham's descendants.

For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.

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.