that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their generosity.

And they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

They court you eagerly, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you would seek them eagerly.

So I say this, and insist in the Lord, that you no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.

We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ.

For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know.

As a result we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions you are enduring.

and with every kind of evil deception directed against those who are perishing, because they found no place in their hearts for the truth so as to be saved.

Finally, pray for us, brothers and sisters, that the Lord’s message may spread quickly and be honored as in fact it was among you,

As I urged you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to spread false teachings,

Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions.

And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people – who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith – also oppose the truth.

Older women likewise are to exhibit behavior fitting for those who are holy, not slandering, not slaves to excessive drinking, but teaching what is good.

Here is another way that our people can learn to engage in good works to meet pressing needs and so not be unfruitful.

Therefore we must be wary that, while the promise of entering his rest remains open, none of you may seem to have come short of it.

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

so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherit the promises.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast, which reaches inside behind the curtain,