¹⁷ David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come to me in friendship, to help me, then my heart will be knit to you, but if you have come to betray me to my adversaries, though my hands have done no wrong, then may the God of our ancestors see and give judgment.”

⁹ But when the archangel Michael disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, he did not dare to bring a condemnation of slander^[a] against him but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”^(A)

²³ When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.^(A)

²⁷ Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel

Final Greetings and Benediction

¹¹ Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell.^[a] Be restored; listen to my appeal;^[b] agree with one another; live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.^(A)

Divisions in the Church

¹⁰ Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you but that you be knit together in the same mind and the same purpose.^(A)

The Believers Share Their Possessions

³² Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.^(A)

² And the Lord said to the accuser,^[a] “The Lord rebuke you, O accuser!^[b] The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this man a brand plucked from the fire?”^(A)

³⁹ I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me for all time, for their own good and the good of their children after them.^(A)