⁷ But as ^(A)you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you^[a]—^(B)see that you excel in this act of grace also.

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith ^(A)with virtue,^[a] and virtue ^(B)with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control ^(C)with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷ and godliness ^(D)with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection ^(E)with love. ⁸ For if these qualities^[b] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or ^(F)unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving

^3 (A)We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers,^[a] as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

⁹ And it is my prayer that ^(A)your love may abound more and more, ^(B)with knowledge and all discernment,

⁸ And ^(A)God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency^[a] in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

² And if I have ^(A)prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, ^(B)so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

Food Offered to Idols

8 Now concerning^{[a] (A)}food offered to idols: we know that ^(B)“all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” ^(C)puffs up, ^(D)but love builds up. ^2 (E)If anyone imagines that he knows something, ^(F)he does not yet know as he ought to know.

⁶ Accordingly, ^(A)we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you ^(B)this act of grace.

⁸ Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.