⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.^(A)

⁸ Above all, love each other deeply,^(A) because love covers over a multitude of sins.^(B)

²⁴ And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.^(A)

⁴ Love is patient,^(A) love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.^(B)

²⁴ “He himself bore our sins”^(A) in his body on the cross,^(B) so that we might die to sins^(C) and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”^(D)

¹² If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?

But we did not use this right.^(A) On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder^(B) the gospel of Christ.

² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.^(A)

³ Join with me in suffering,^(A) like a good soldier^(B) of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. ⁵ Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown^(C) except by competing according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.^{(D) 7} Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,^(E) descended from David.^(F) This is my gospel,^{(G) 9} for which I am suffering^(H) even to the point of being chained^(I) like a criminal. But God’s word^(J) is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything^(K) for the sake of the elect,^(L) that they too may obtain the salvation^(M) that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.^(N)