but in the church I want to speak five words with my mind to instruct others, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he has brought to an end all rule and all authority and power.

And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised.

For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality.

But I am sending these brothers so that our boasting about you may not be empty in this case, so that you may be ready just as I kept telling them.

because the service of this ministry is not only providing for the needs of the saints but is also overflowing with many thanks to God.

For we were not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach as far as you, because we were the first to reach as far as you with the gospel about Christ.

I urged Titus to visit you and I sent our brother along with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit? Did we not behave in the same way?

For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I was savagely persecuting the church of God and trying to destroy it.

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the gospel to Abraham ahead of time, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.”

Those who want to make a good showing in external matters are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do so only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.

But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.

toward the administration of the fullness of the times, to head up all things in Christ – the things in heaven and the things on earth.

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

To me – less than the least of all the saints – this grace was given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ

Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think,

The one who steals must steal no longer; rather he must labor, doing good with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with the one who has need.

and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

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