Add parallel Print Page Options

15 Do your best to win God's approval as a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed and who teaches only the true message.

Read full chapter

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.(A)

Read full chapter

We pray you will stop doing evil things. We don't pray like this to make ourselves look good, but to get you to do right, even if we are failures.

Read full chapter

Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.

Read full chapter

Trials and Temptations

12 (A) God will bless you, if you don't give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life,[a] just as he rewards everyone who loves him.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1.12 a glorious life: The Greek text has “the crown of life.” In ancient times an athlete who had won a contest was rewarded with a crown of flowers as a sign of victory.

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial(A) because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life(B) that the Lord has promised to those who love him.(C)

Read full chapter

God was pleased to trust us with his message. We didn't speak to please people, but to please God who knows our motives.

Read full chapter

On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.(A) We are not trying to please people(B) but God, who tests our hearts.(C)

Read full chapter

18 You may brag about yourself, but the only approval that counts is the Lord's approval.

Read full chapter

18 For it is not the one who commends himself(A) who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.(B)

Read full chapter