Hold firmly to the message of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing.

Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I can be encouraged when I learn of your condition.

Him, indeed, therefore, am I hoping to send - as soon as I can look off from the things that concern myself, - forthwith.

And I can assure you that his illness very nearly proved fatal. But God had pity on him, and not on him only but also on me, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.

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.

although I could have confidence in the flesh. If anyone thinks he can place confidence in the flesh, I have more reason to think so.

and may be found in Him [believing and relying on Him], not having any righteousness of my own derived from [my obedience to] the Law and its rituals, but [possessing] that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.

to see if I too can attain the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have secured it yet, or already reached perfection, but I am pressing on to see if I can capture it, because I have been captured by Jesus Christ.

Then God's peace, which goes far beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your hearts and minds in union with the Messiah Jesus.

Finally, my brethren, whatever has the character of truth, of dignity, of justice, of chastity, whatever can procure you esteem and reputation, in a word, if there be any thing virtuous or praise-worthy, let that be the object of your enquiry.

I can both cast down myself, I can also exceed. Everywhere, and in all things I am instructed, both to be full, and to be hungry: to have plenty, and to suffer need.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Now I can find joy amid my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my own person whatever is lacking in Christ's afflictions on behalf of His Body, the Church.

So no one can call you to account for what you eat or drink, or do about annual or monthly feasts or Sabbaths.

Do not allow anyone, who delights in acting humble [i.e., living an ascetic life] and who worships angels, to rob you of your reward [in heaven]. [Note: This "angel worship" could mean holding angels in high regard because of their role as God's messengers, or the claim that God can be approached only through angelic intermediaries]. He places great importance on what he [claims to] see [i.e., visions], being inflated with pride by his fleshly mind for no [good] reason.

a renewal in which there is no [distinction between] Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, [nor between nations whether] barbarian or Scythian, [nor in status whether] slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all [so believers are equal in Christ, without distinction].

Let the peace that Christ can give keep on acting as umpire in your hearts, for you were called to this state as members of one body. And practice being thankful.

At the same time, pray for us also, that God will open up a door [of opportunity] for [proclaiming] the message, so we can tell about the [previously] hidden secret of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned.

until I can make clear to the authorities why I cannot help telling it.

I have sent [i.e., am sending] him to you for this very purpose, so that you can know our situation and that he can encourage your hearts.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always contending for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills.

For I can bear witness to the deep interest he takes in you and in the brethren at Laodicea and in those at Hierapolis.

And tell Archippus, “Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.”

for we can never forget before our God and Father your energetic faith, your loving service, and your unwavering expectation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For we were never found using flattering words at any time, as you know, nor did we try to cover up any greedy desires. God can testify [to this].

You can testify, [just] as God can, how holy, righteous and blameless our conduct was toward you believers.

as they try to keep us from telling the gentiles how they can be saved. As a result, they are constantly adding to the number of sins they have committed. However, wrath has overtaken them at last!

for what can be our hope, or joy, what can crown our pretensions, unless it be you, when we shall appear before the Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

For now we can go on living, as long as you continue to stand firm in the Lord.

For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

Night and day we pray very earnestly that we will be able to see you in person, so we can provide what is lacking in your faith.

For we speak this to you in the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left unto the coming of the Lord, can not anticipate those who are asleep,

When they may say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes on them, as travail upon a woman in gestation; and they can not escape.

Make sure that no one does anything wrong to someone who wrongs him, but always look for something good you can do for one another and for everyone.

But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good.

He who calls you can be relied on, and he will do this.

Well, you can recall now what it is that restrains him from being revealed before his appointed time.

[Offer them] for kings and for all people in prominent [governmental] positions, so that we can live a peaceful and quiet life in all reverence [toward God] and respectability [toward people].

managing his own house well, and keeping his children under control and perfectly respectful??5 for if a man does not know how to conduct his own household, how can he look after a church of God?

For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?

And they must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons.

No one can deny the profundity of the divine truth of our religion! "He was revealed in flesh, He was vindicated by the Spirit, He was seen by the angels, He was proclaimed among the heathen, He was believed in throughout the world, He was taken up into glory."

Think on these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress.

Command these things also, so that they [i.e., the widows and their families] can live above reproach.

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.

Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it can be confirmed by two or three witnesses.

In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can't be hidden.

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

By doing this they store up a treasure for themselves that is a good foundation for the future, so that they can keep their hold on the life that is real.

I thank God, whom I worship [or, "serve"] with a clear conscience, as my forefathers did, that I can remember you [i.e., your commitment] continually in my prayers night and day.

recalling your tears and longing to see you so that I can be filled with joy.

the Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord on that [great] day. You know very well how many things he did for me and what a help he was at Ephesus [you know better than I can tell you].

No soldier on active duty, gets himself involved in the affairs of civilian life, so that he can please the person who enlisted him [i.e., his commanding officer].

the labourer must work before he can obtain his reward.

So, I endure everything for the elect's sake [i.e., God's people], so that they can obtain the salvation which comes through Christ Jesus, with [its] never ending splendor.

If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He can't deny himself."

and one that can suffer the evil in meekness, and can inform them that resist - if that God at any time will give them repentance for to know the truth -

and that from a child you have known the sacred Scriptures, which can make you wise to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

in hope of eternal life, which God, who can't lie, promised before time began;

who holds doctrine that can be relied on as being in accordance with the accepted Teaching; so that he may be able to encourage others by sound teaching, as well as to refute our opponents.

Then they can train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

and soundness of speech that can't be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us.

and not to steal, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in everything they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

You can be sure that such a person is [spiritually] corrupt and sinful, and that he is condemned by his own actions.

As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, join me in Nicopolis as quickly as you can, for I have arranged to winter there.

Do all you can to send Zenas the expert in the Law and Apollos on their way, and see that they have everything they need.

Here is another way that our people can learn to engage in good works to meet pressing needs and so not be unfruitful.

[I pray] that the sharing of your faith [with others, or possibly with Paul] will be effective when you fully realize all the good you can do for Christ.

how can we, of all people, expect to escape, if we disregard so great a Salvation? It was the Master who at the outset spoke of this Salvation, and its authority was confirmed for us by those who heard him,

but Christ [was faithful] as a son over his house, whose house we are, if we hold fast to our confidence and the hope we can be proud of.

but encourage one another every day, as long as we can still speak of Today, so that no one of you may have his heart hardened by the pleasantness of sin.

So while we can still speak of Today, if you hear him speak, do not harden your hearts, as they provoked him by doing.

For God's Message is full of life and power, and is keener than the sharpest two-edged sword. It pierces even to the severance of soul from spirit, and penetrates between the joints and the marrow, and it can discern the secret thoughts and purposes of the heart.

And there is, no created thing, can be secreted before him, but, all things, are naked and exposed to his eyes: - as to whom is, our discourse.

For we don't have a high priest who can't be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.

So, we should approach, with confidence, God's throne of unearned favor, so we can receive mercy and obtain that favor to help us when we need it.

For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of people in the things relating to God, in order that he can offer both gifts and sacrifices on behalf of sins,

Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

he is obliged to offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as for those of the people. besides, no man can assume

That hope we have as an anchor of the soul--an anchor that can neither break nor drag. It passes in behind the veil,

Now no one can dispute that it is the superior who blesses the inferior.

We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,

(for the Law made nothing perfect), and there is introduced a better Hope, by means of which we can draw near to God.

and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, of which things we can't speak now in detail.

which, as a symbol, remains to the present time, in which are offered both gifts and sacrifices that can not make perfect, as it respects the conscience, him that does the service;

For if the blood of goats and of bulls, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkled on the unclean, can cleanse them from external impurities;

Therefore, Christ is the Mediator of a New Agreement, so that [all] those people who have been called [by God] can receive the promise of the never ending inheritance. [This is possible because] a death has taken place for the redemption of [people's] sins who lived under the first Agreement.

and not in order that he can offer himself many times, as the high priest enters into the sanctuary {year by year} with blood not his own,

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

let us hold the hope we avow without wavering (for we can rely on him who gave us the Promise);

And we should consider how we can stir up one another to love [more] and to perform good deeds.

not neglecting--as some habitually do--to meet together, but encouraging one another, and doing this all the more since you can see the day of Christ approaching.

Remember, if we sin willfully after we have gained a full knowledge of the Truth, there can be no further sacrifice for sin;

For you need endurance, so that after you have done God's will you can receive what he has promised.

And through faith the Righteous man shall find his Life, But, if a man draws back, my heart can find no pleasure in him.'

And what more can I say? Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,

Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them [for it]; should we not much rather submit to the Father of our spirits [i.e., God], so we can live [spiritually]?