And our hope for you is steadfast because we know that as you share in ¹  our sufferings, so also you will share in ²  our comfort.

Therefore if you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me.

Look at the people of Israel. ¹  Are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar?

If there is any question ¹  about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; if there is any question about our brothers, they are messengers ²  of the churches, a glory to Christ.

At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and afflictions, and at other times you came to share with others who were treated in that way.

And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, ¹  we would not have participated with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’

No, I mean that what the pagans sacrifice ¹  is to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons.

So as your fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings and as one who shares in the glory that will be revealed, I urge the elders among you:

and so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s business partners. ¹  Then ²  Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on ³  you will be catching people.” ⁴ 

Through these things ¹  he has bestowed on us his precious and most magnificent promises, so that by means of what was promised ²  you may become partakers of the divine nature, ³  after escaping ⁴  the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire. ⁵