For we know that trouble develops endurance, and endurance strength of character, and strength of character hope,

Imitate me, as I myself imitate Christ. I praise you, indeed, because you never forget me, and are keeping my injunctions in mind, exactly as I laid them upon you.

And by this we know that we have learned to know him--by our laying his commands to heart. The man who says 'I know Jesus,' but does not lay his commands to heart, is a liar, and the Truth has no place in him;

We urge you, Brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to avoid any Brother who is living an ill-ordered life, which is not in agreement with the teaching that you received from us.

Yes, and for this very reason do your best to supplement your faith by goodness, goodness by knowledge, knowledge by self-control, self-control by endurance, endurance by piety, piety by brotherly affection, and brotherly affection by love.read more.
For, when these virtues are yours, in increasing measure, they prevent your being indifferent to, or destitute of, a fuller knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Be like obedient children; do not let your lives be shaped by the passions which once swayed you in the days of your ignorance,

To this you were called by the Good News which we brought you, to attain to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Stand firm then, Brothers, and hold fast to the truths that we taught you, whether by word or by letter.

The Presiding-Officer should be a man of blameless character; a faithful husband; living a temperate, discreet, and well-ordered life; hospitable, and a skillful teacher, not addicted to drink or brawling, but of a forbearing and peaceable disposition, and not a lover of money; he should be a man who rules his own household well, and whose children are kept under control and are well-behaved.read more.
If a man does not know how to rule his own household, how can he take charge of the Church of God? The Presiding-Officer should not be a recent convert, that he may not be blinded by pride and fall under the same condemnation as the Devil. He should also be well spoken of by outsiders, that he may not incur censure and so fall into the snares of the Devil.

Let your forbearing spirit be plain to every one. The Lord is near.

So, too, every sound tree bears good fruit, while a worthless tree bears bad fruit.

Therefore imitate God, as his dear children,

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.