¹¹ Knowing, therefore, ^(A)the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

²³ but ^(A)others save ^[a]with fear, ^(B)pulling them out of the ^[b]fire, hating even ^(C)the garment defiled by the flesh.

^31 (A)It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

²⁴ And ^(A)a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, ^(B)able to teach, ^(C)patient, ^25 (D)in humility correcting those who are in opposition, ^(E)if God perhaps will grant them repentance, ^(F)so that they may know the truth, ²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and ^(G)escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

¹⁵ And anyone not found written in the Book of Life ^(A)was cast into the lake of fire.

^3 (A)For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

⁴ But as ^(B)we have been approved by God ^(C)to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, ^(D)not as pleasing men, but God ^(E)who tests our hearts. ⁵ For ^(F)neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a ^[a]cloak for covetousness—^(G)God is witness. ^6 (H)Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when ^(I)we might have ^(J)made demands ^(K)as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But ^(L)we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. ⁸ So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased ^(M)to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also ^(N)our own lives, because you had become dear to us. ⁹ For you remember, brethren, our ^(O)labor and toil; for laboring night and day, ^(P)that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

^10 (Q)You are witnesses, and God also, ^(R)how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; ¹¹ as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and ^[b]charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, ^12 (S)that you would walk worthy of God ^(T)who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Marks of the Ministry

6 We then, as ^(A)workers together with Him also ^(B)plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

²⁰ Now then, we are ^(A)ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

The Light of Christ’s Gospel

4 Therefore, since we have this ministry, ^(A)as we have received mercy, we ^(B)do not lose heart. ² But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor ^[a]handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth ^(C)commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.