¹¹ He said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.

² Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill^[a] the law of Christ.^(A)

²⁷ Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel ²⁸ and in no way frightened by those opposing you. For them, this is evidence of their destruction but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing.^(A)

Please Others, Not Yourselves

15 We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.^(A)

³² but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail, and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”^(A)

²⁰ Rally to us wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet. Our God will fight for us.”^(A)

⁹ The Ammonites came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the city, and the kings who had come were by themselves in the open country.

¹⁰ When Joab saw that the line of battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the picked men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans; ¹¹ the rest of his troops he put in the charge of his brother Abishai, and they were arrayed against the Ammonites.^{(A) 12} He said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will help you.^(B)