¹⁵ And his heart goes out all the more to you, as he remembers the obedience of all of you and how you welcomed him with fear and trembling.^(A)

Shining as Lights in the World

¹² Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence but much more now in my absence, work on your own salvation with fear and trembling,^(A)

⁹ I wrote for this reason: to test you and to know whether you are obedient in everything.^(A)

¹⁷ How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?^(A)

¹⁴ Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed.^(A)

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.^(A)

⁸ For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the tender affection of Christ Jesus.^(A)

⁵ and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.^{(A) 6} We are ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete.^(B)

¹⁰ For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death.^{(A) 11} For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves guiltless in the matter.

¹² There is no restriction in our affections but only in yours.