<t /><p class="bodytext">Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.<n id="1" />

Thus<n id="1" /> we urged<n id="2" /> Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work,<n id="3" /> so also he should complete this act of kindness<n id="4" /> for you.

<t /><p class="bodytext">I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord,<n id="1" /> urge you to live<n id="2" /> worthily of the calling with which you have been called,<n id="3" />

As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his own children,

So<n id="1" /> in all our distress and affliction, we were reassured about you, brothers and sisters,<n id="2" /> through your faith.

<t /><p class="bodytext">As I urged you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus<n id="1" /> to instruct<n id="2" /> certain people not to spread false teachings,<n id="3" />

Preach the message,<n id="1" /> be ready<n id="2" /> whether it is convenient or not,<n id="3" /> reprove, rebuke, exhort<n id="4" /> with complete patience and instruction.

So communicate these things with the sort of exhortation or rebuke<n id="1" /> that carries full authority.<n id="2" /> Don&#8217;t let anyone look down<n id="3" /> on you.p>

I would rather appeal<n id="1" /> to you on the basis of love &#8211; I, Paul, an old man<n id="2" /> and even now a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus<n id="3" /> &#8211;

<p class="bodytext">Now I urge you, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> bear with my message of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you briefly.

<p class="bodytext">Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul,

<p class="otpoetry">&#8220;<b><i>A voice was heard in Ramah,i>b>p> <p class="otpoetry"><b><i>weeping and loud wailing,i>b><n id="1" />p> <p class="otpoetry"><b><i>Rachel weeping for her children,i>b>p> <p class="otpoetry"><b><i>and she did not want to be comforted, because they werei>b><n id="2" /> <i><b>goneb>.i>&#8221;<n id="3" />p>

Then the demons begged him,<n id="1" /> &#8220;If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.&#8221;

Then<n id="1" /> the entire town<n id="2" /> came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.p>

Then his lord called the first slave<n id="1" /> and said to him, &#8216;Evil slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me!

Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and that he would send me more than twelve legions<n id="1" /> of angels right now?

<t /><p class="bodytext">Now<n id="1" /> a leper<n id="2" /> came to him and fell to his knees, asking for help. &#8220;If<n id="3" /> you are willing, you can make me clean,&#8221; he said.

He asked him urgently, &#8220;My little daughter is near death. Come and lay your hands on her so that she may be healed and live.&#8221;

When<n id="1" /> they came<n id="2" /> to Jesus, they urged<n id="3" /> him earnestly,<n id="4" /> &#8220;He is worthy<n id="5" /> to have you do this for him,

Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside,<n id="1" /> and the demonic spirits<n id="2" /> begged Jesus<n id="3" /> to let them go into them. He gave them permission.<n id="4" />