Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, acknowledging his name.

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.

For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well.

Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs.

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.”

They probed into what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified beforehand about the sufferings appointed for Christ and his subsequent glory.

but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.

So you who believe see his value, but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,

For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God.

For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps.

Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge;

For if these things are really yours and are continually increasing, they will keep you from becoming ineffective and unproductive in your pursuit of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ more intimately.

But concerning the one who lacks such things – he is blind. That is to say, he is nearsighted, since he has forgotten about the cleansing of his past sins.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to be sure of your calling and election. For by doing this you will never stumble into sin.

For we did not follow cleverly concocted fables when we made known to you the power and return of our Lord Jesus Christ; no, we were eyewitnesses of his grandeur.

But these men, like irrational animals – creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed – do not understand whom they are insulting, and consequently in their destruction they will be destroyed,

Above all, understand this: In the last days blatant scoffers will come, being propelled by their own evil urges

For they deliberately suppress this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water.