Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. Instead, be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

For if only in this life we have hope in Christ, we should be pitied more than anyone.

But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; then when Christ comes, those who belong to him.

I was glad about the arrival of Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus because they have supplied the fellowship with you that I lacked.

I do not mean that we rule over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy, because by faith you stand firm.

so that now instead you should rather forgive and comfort him. This will keep him from being overwhelmed by excessive grief to the point of despair.

But God, who encourages the downhearted, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus.

But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you,

Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.

And even if I am unskilled in speaking, yet I am certainly not so in knowledge. Indeed, we have made this plain to you in everything in every way.

What I am saying with this boastful confidence I do not say the way the Lord would. Instead it is, as it were, foolishness.

But we did not surrender to them even for a moment, in order that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

And the rest of the Jews also joined with him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray with them by their hypocrisy.

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery.

And God put all things under Christ’s feet, and he gave him to the church as head over all things.

For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God;

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

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice together with all of you.

And you were at one time strangers and enemies in your minds as expressed through your evil deeds,

rooted and built up in him and firm in your faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.