For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another.

For those who are circumcised do not obey the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your flesh.

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

For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.

For he is our peace, the one who made both groups into one and who destroyed the middle wall of partition, the hostility,

Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience.

For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church,

What is the result? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

I feel torn between the two, because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far,

In fact he became so ill that he nearly died. But God showed mercy to him – and not to him only, but also to me – so that I would not have grief on top of grief.

For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, exult in Christ Jesus, and do not rely on human credentials

For many live, about whom I have often told you, and now, with tears, I tell you that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those who have not met me face to face.

For who is our hope or joy or crown to boast of before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not of course you?

For how can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel because of you before our God?

Now on the topic of brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

And indeed you are practicing it toward all the brothers and sisters in all of Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep as Christians.

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.”