You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart as to Christ,

and in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose.

But for now I have considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. For he is my brother, coworker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to me in my need.

Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me.

Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.

And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Your faith and love have arisen from the hope laid up for you in heaven, which you have heard about in the message of truth, the gospel

I became a servant of the church according to the stewardship from God – given to me for you – in order to complete the word of God,

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those who have not met me face to face.

Having been buried with him in baptism, you also have been raised with him through your faith in the power of God who raised him from the dead.

Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you received the message with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, despite great affliction.

exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you live in a way worthy of God who calls you to his own kingdom and his glory.

And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you,

And indeed you are practicing it toward all the brothers and sisters in all of Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,

Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope.

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