⁷ But since you excel in everything^(A)—in faith, in speech, in knowledge,^(B) in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you^[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;^{(A) 6} and to knowledge, self-control;^(B) and to self-control, perseverance;^(C) and to perseverance, godliness;^{(D) 7} and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.^{(E) 8} For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive^(F) in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.^(G)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ We ought always to thank God for you,^(A) brothers and sisters,^[a] and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.^(B)

⁸ And God is able^(A) to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,^(B) you will abound in every good work.

⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love^(A) may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,^(B)

⁶ So we urged^(A) Titus,^(B) just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion^(C) this act of grace on your part.

² If I have the gift of prophecy^(A) and can fathom all mysteries^(B) and all knowledge,^(C) and if I have a faith^(D) that can move mountains,^(E) but do not have love, I am nothing.

Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols

8 Now about food sacrificed to idols:^(A) We know that “We all possess knowledge.”^(B) But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. ² Those who think they know something^(C) do not yet know as they ought to know.^(D)

⁷ For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?^(A) And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?