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

My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death,

Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me.

And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

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.

And even though you were dead in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions.

Even though they have the appearance of wisdom with their self-imposed worship and false humility achieved by an unsparing treatment of the body – a wisdom with no true value – they in reality result in fleshly indulgence.

Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven.

At the same time pray for us too, that God may open a door for the message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you received the message with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, despite great affliction.

exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you live in a way worthy of God who calls you to his own kingdom and his glory.

We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person and make up what may be lacking in your faith.

Now may God our Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you.

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 the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Now when they are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape.

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you,

that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy by the breath of his mouth and wipe out by the manifestation of his arrival.

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,