But our citizenship is in heaven – and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

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

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord.

For I can testify that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, about our coming to you – it has not proven to be purposeless.

so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.

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.

For this is God’s will: that you become holy, that you keep away from sexual immorality,

For you all are sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of the darkness.

For the hidden power of lawlessness is already at work. However, the one who holds him back will do so until he is taken out of the way,

For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

For the scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker deserves his pay.”

For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.

For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law, because they are useless and empty.

When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.

At the same time also, prepare a place for me to stay, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given back to you.

For if the message spoken through angels proved to be so firm that every violation or disobedience received its just penalty,

For we have become partners with Christ, if in fact we hold our initial confidence firm until the end.

For which ones heard and rebelled? Was it not all who came out of Egypt under Moses’ leadership?