¹⁸ But as surely as God is faithful,^(A) our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” ¹⁹ For the Son of God,^(B) Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas^[a](C) and Timothy^(D)—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always^(E) been “Yes.” ²⁰ For no matter how many promises^(F) God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen”^(G) is spoken by us to the glory of God.^{(H) 21} Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm^(I) in Christ. He anointed^(J) us, ²² set his seal^(K) of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.^(L)

Salt and Light

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.^(A)

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world.^(B) A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.^{(C) 16} In the same way, let your light shine before others,^(D) that they may see your good deeds^(E) and glorify^(F) your Father in heaven.