if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church;

whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;

that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,

Now this I say that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.

Be careful that you do not let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ.

If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.

Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings,

Fathers, do not provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged.

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.

Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;

that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts,

together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

For I testify about him, that he has worked hard for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.

Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that is in her house.

When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

Tell Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it."

We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen,

and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.

so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.

For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out; so that we do not need to say anything.

For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Good News of God.

For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.

forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always. But wrath has come on them to the uttermost.

that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task.

For truly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know.

For this cause I also, when I could not stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.

But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you;

night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to live and to please God, even as you are living, that you excel more and more.

For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality,

that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified.

But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another,

for indeed you do it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you abound more and more;

and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you;

that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.

But we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you do not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left to the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep.

But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you.

For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.

But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief.

who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all.

but test all things; hold firmly that which is good.

I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers.

so that we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure.

This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God, to the end that you may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.

when he comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among all those who have believed (because our testimony to you was believed) in that day.

To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and work of faith, with power;

that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

not to be quickly shaken in your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as from us, saying that the day of the Lord had come.

he who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sits in the temple of God, setting himself up as God.

Do you not remember that, when I was still with you, I told you these things?

Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season.

and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Because of this, God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie;

that they all might be judged who did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you;

and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for not all have faith.

We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things we command.

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us.

neither did we eat bread from anyone's hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you;

not because we do not have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.

Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

If any man does not obey our word in this letter, note that man, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.

As I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, stay at Ephesus that you might command certain men not to teach a different doctrine,

But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully,

as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers,

The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience, for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.

This instruction I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to you, that by them you may wage the good warfare;

of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.

I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings, be made for all men:

for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.

I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting.

In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing;

but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,

For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come.

Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders.

Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all.

Also command these things, that they may be without reproach.

I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for reviling.

If any woman who believes has widows, let her assist them, and do not let the church be burdened; that it might help those widows who are truly in need.

Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.

I command you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.

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

Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed.

constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.

that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;