For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive(A) in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.(B)

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He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,(A) while every branch that does bear fruit(B) he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful.

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Footnotes

  1. John 15:2 The Greek for he prunes also means he cleans.

14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good,(A) in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

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16 Let the message of Christ(A) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom(B) through psalms,(C) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.(D)

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12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate(A) those who through faith and patience(B) inherit what has been promised.(C)

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

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Grace and peace be yours in abundance(A) through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.(B)

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I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.

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58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,(A) because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.(B)

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Thanksgiving and Prayer

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)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 2:1, 13, 15; 3:1, 6, 13.

Living to Please God

As for other matters, brothers and sisters,(A) we instructed you how to live(B) in order to please God,(C) as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

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In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:(A)

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Examine yourselves(A) to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.(B) Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you(C)—unless, of course, you fail the test?

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13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies(A) who talk nonsense,(B) saying things they ought not to.

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14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

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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.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:7 Some manuscripts and in your love for us

In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.(A)

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12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other(A) and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

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rooted(A) and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,(B) and overflowing with thankfulness.

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13 If we are “out of our mind,”(A) as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.(B) 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves(C) but for him who died for them(D) and was raised again.

16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly(E) point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,(F) the new creation(G) has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!(H)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or Christ, that person is a new creation.

11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,(A) serving the Lord.

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If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.(A) If you remain in me(B) and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.(C) This is to my Father’s glory,(D) that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.(E)

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42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.

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26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?

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About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

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