Even though they have the appearance of wisdom with their self-imposed worship and false humility achieved by an unsparing treatment of the body – a wisdom with no true value – they in reality result in fleshly indulgence.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.”

But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note of him and do not associate closely with him, so that he may be ashamed.

Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will desert the faith and occupy themselves with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings,

But if someone does not provide for his own, especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

If a believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. The church should not be burdened, so that it may help the widows who are truly in need.

If someone spreads false teachings and does not agree with sound words (that is, those of our Lord Jesus Christ) and with the teaching that accords with godliness,

For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.

So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

Instead someone testified somewhere: “What is man that you think of him or the son of man that you care for him?

You made him lower than the angels for a little while. You crowned him with glory and honor.

But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called “Today,” that none of you may become hardened by sin’s deception.

Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.

For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. So this one too had to have something to offer.

not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near.

But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.

For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror.

If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile.

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him?