Exhortations and Blessings

¹² Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition^(A) to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³ and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace^(B) among yourselves. ¹⁴ And we exhort you, brothers:^(C) warn those who are irresponsible,^[a] comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient^(D) with everyone. ¹⁵ See to it that no one repays evil for evil^(E) to anyone,^(F) but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.^(G)

²³ Now may the God of peace^(L) Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit,^(M) soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming^(N) of our Lord^(O) Jesus Christ.^{(P) 24} He who calls^(Q) you^(R) is faithful, who also will do it.

²⁶ In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should,^(A) but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us^[a](B) with unspoken groanings. ²⁷ And He who searches the hearts^(C) knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

²⁸ We know that all things work together^[b] for the good^[c] of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.^(D)

A Call to Good Works

¹¹ Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and temporary residents^(A) to abstain^(B) from fleshly^(C) desires that war against you.^{[a](D) 12} Conduct^(E) yourselves honorably among the Gentiles,^[b] so that in a case where they speak against you as those who do what is evil, they will, by observing your good works, glorify God on the day of visitation.^[c](F)

¹³ Submit^(G) to every human authority^[d] because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor^[e] as the supreme authority^{(H) 14} or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. ¹⁵ For it is God’s will^(I) that you silence the ignorance^(J) of foolish people by doing good. ¹⁶ As God’s slaves,^(K) live as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil.^{(L) 17} Honor everyone. Love^(M) the brotherhood.^(N) Fear God.^(O) Honor the Emperor.^[f]