Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions that we taught you, whether by speech or by letter.

For the scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker deserves his pay.”

I am thankful to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I remember you in my prayers as I do constantly night and day.

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

who must be silenced because they mislead whole families by teaching for dishonest gain what ought not to be taught.

For we too were once foolish, disobedient, misled, enslaved to various passions and desires, spending our lives in evil and envy, hateful and hating one another.

For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works,”

for the law made nothing perfect. On the other hand a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

The Holy Spirit is making clear that the way into the holy place had not yet appeared as long as the old tabernacle was standing.

For a will takes effect only at death, since it carries no force while the one who made it is alive.

For we know the one who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”

By faith, even though Sarah herself was barren and he was too old, he received the ability to procreate, because he regarded the one who had given the promise to be trustworthy.

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He had received the promises, yet he was ready to offer up his only son.

They were stoned, sawed apart, murdered with the sword; they went about in sheepskins and goatskins; they were destitute, afflicted, ill-treated

And see to it that no one becomes an immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.

Brotherly love must continue.

Where do the conflicts and where do the quarrels among you come from? Is it not from this, from your passions that battle inside you?

You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,

you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul,