with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord,

This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

because you know that each person, whether slave or free, if he does something good, this will be rewarded by the Lord.

since you are encountering the same conflict that you saw me face and now hear that I am facing.

As a result God exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in any circumstance.

I do not say this because I am seeking a gift. Rather, I seek the credit that abounds to your account.

When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him.

So when we could bear it no longer, we decided to stay on in Athens alone.

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would.

See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.

For it is right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,

Surely you recall that I used to tell you these things while I was still with you.

Consequently God sends on them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false.

Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless.

But reject those myths fit only for the godless and gullible, and train yourself for godliness.

Similarly good works are also obvious, and the ones that are not cannot remain hidden.

If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.