Stand Firm

¹³ But ^(A)we ought always to give thanks to God for you, ^(B)brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you ^(C)as the firstfruits^{[a] (D)}to be saved, ^(E)through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. ¹⁴ To this he called you through ^(F)our gospel, ^(G)so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So then, brothers, ^(H)stand firm and hold to ^(I)the traditions that you were taught by us, either ^(J)by our spoken word or by ^(K)our letter.

¹⁶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, ^(L)who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good ^(M)hope through grace, ¹⁷ comfort your hearts and ^(N)establish them in every good work and word.

Pray for Us

3 Finally, brothers,^{[b] (O)}pray for us, that ^(P)the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,^[c] as happened among you, ² and ^(Q)that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For ^(R)not all have faith. ³ But ^(S)the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and ^(T)guard you against ^(U)the evil one.^{[d] 4} And ^(V)we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. ⁵ May the Lord ^(W)direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.