That

…so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world

…as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

…as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I learn how you are doing.

But you know Timothy’s proven worth, that as a child with his father he has served with me to advance the gospel.

And I trust in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less anxious.

More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

…and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

…who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you must stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

Not that I am seeking a gift, but I am looking for the fruit that may be credited to your account.

Not that I am seeking a gift, but I am looking for the fruit that may be credited to your account.

I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

…that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God.

…so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

…being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully

And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.

…the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints.

We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

…that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ,

…that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ,

I say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric.

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.

…having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!

These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.

…because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

…as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

…as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.

For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house.

After this letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

After this letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”

Brothers who are beloved by God, we know that He has chosen you,

For not only did the message of the Lord ring out from you to Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone out to every place, so that we have no need to say anything more.

You yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not in vain.

We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us.

We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us.

Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—

And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe.

For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. You suffered from your own countrymen the very things they suffered from the Jews,

…so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this.

…so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this.

Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.

For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and that our labor might have been in vain.

For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and that our labor might have been in vain.

Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith.

…so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.

Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more.

For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality;

Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope.

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

By the word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep.

After that, we who are alive and remain 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.

For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

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

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

Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

That is why we boast among God’s churches about your perseverance and faith in the face of all the persecution and affliction you are enduring.

To this end, we always pray for you, that our God will count you worthy of His calling, and that He will powerfully fulfill your every good desire and work of faith,

To this end, we always pray for you, that our God will count you worthy of His calling, and that He will powerfully fulfill your every good desire and work of faith,

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

…not to be easily disconcerted or alarmed by any spirit or message or letter seeming to be from us, alleging that the Day of the Lord has already come.

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

And you know what is now restraining him, so that he may be revealed at the proper time.

…and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.

For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie,

…in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.

To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be held in honor, just as it was with you.

And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not everyone holds to the faith.

And we have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.

…nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.

For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies.

Take note of anyone who does not obey the instructions we have given in this letter. Do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.

The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.

They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert.

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.

We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers,

…that agrees with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service.

And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight,

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—