⁵ Be wise^(A) in the way you act toward outsiders;^(B) make the most of every opportunity.^{(C) 6} Let your conversation be always full of grace,^(D) seasoned with salt,^(E) so that you may know how to answer everyone.^(F)

Love in Action

⁹ Love must be sincere.^(A) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.^(B)

¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love,^(A) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,^(B) that is, Christ.

²⁵ Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,^{(A) 26} and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,^(B) who has taken them captive to do his will.

² Preach^(A) the word;^(B) be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke^(C) and encourage^(D)—with great patience and careful instruction.

²² Now that you have purified^(A) yourselves by obeying^(B) the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply,^(C) from the heart.^[a]

¹⁵ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer^(A) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope^(B) that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience,^(C) so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.^(D)

¹⁸ Dear children,^(A) let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.^(B)