When<n id="1" /> I was with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia fully supplied my needs.<n id="2" /> I<n id="3" /> kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.

<t /><p class="bodytext">Brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> if a person<n id="2" /> is discovered in some sin,<n id="3" /> you who are spiritual<n id="4" /> restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness.<n id="5" /> Pay close attention<n id="6" /> to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.

<p class="bodytext">Finally, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.

For you recall, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> our toil and drudgery: By working night and day so as not to impose a burden on any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

For you became imitators, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> of God&#8217;s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they in fact did from the Jews,

We<n id="1" /> sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God<n id="2" /> in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith,

<t /><p class="bodytext">Finally then, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us about how<n id="2" /> you must live and please God (as you are in fact living)<n id="3" /> that you do so more and more.

<t /><p class="bodytext">We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> and rightly so,<n id="2" /> because your faith flourishes more and more and the love of each one of you all for one another is ever greater.

<t /><p class="bodytext">But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters<n id="1" /> loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning<n id="2" /> for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

But those who have believing masters must not show them less respect<n id="1" /> because they are brothers. Instead they are to serve all the more, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.<n id="2" />p><t /><p class="bodytext">Teach them and exhort them about these things.<n id="3" />

Therefore he had<n id="1" /> to be made like his brothers and sisters<n id="2" /> in every respect, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, to make atonement<n id="3" /> for the sins of the people.

And those of the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office<n id="1" /> have authorization according to the law to collect a tithe from the people, that is, from their fellow countrymen,<n id="2" /> although they too are descendants of Abraham.<n id="3" />

<p class="otpoetry">&#8220;<b><i>And there will be no need at alli>b><n id="1" /> <i><b>for each one to teach his countryman or each one to teach his brother sayingb>,i> &#8216;<i><b>Know the Lordb>,i>&#8217; <i><b>since they will all know meb>, <b>from the least to the greatestb>.i><n id="2" />p>

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters!<n id="1" /> Did not God choose the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?

<t /><p class="bodytext">So be patient, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> until the Lord&#8217;s return.<n id="2" /> Think of how the farmer waits<n id="3" /> for the precious fruit of the ground and is patient<n id="4" /> for it until it receives the early and late rains.

And above all, my brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. But let your &#8220;Yes&#8221; be yes and your &#8220;No&#8221; be no, so that you may not fall into judgment.p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">Through Silvanus,<n id="1" /> whom I know to be a faithful brother,<n id="2" /> I have written to you briefly, in order to encourage you and testify<n id="3" /> that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.<n id="4" />

But the one who hates his fellow Christian<n id="1" /> is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.<n id="2" />p>

By this<n id="1" /> the children of God and the children of the devil are revealed: Everyone who does not practice righteousness &#8211; the one who does not love his fellow Christian<n id="2" /> &#8211; is not of God.p>

But whoever has the world&#8217;s possessions<n id="1" /> and sees his fellow Christian<n id="2" /> in need and shuts off his compassion against him, how can the love of God<n id="3" /> reside<n id="4" /> in such a person?<n id="5" />p>