Stand Firm

¹³ But we ought always to thank God for you,^(A) brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits^[a](B) to be saved^(C) through the sanctifying work of the Spirit^(D) and through belief in the truth. ¹⁴ He called you^(E) to this through our gospel,^(F) that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁵ So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm^(G) and hold fast to the teachings^[b] we passed on to you,^(H) whether by word of mouth or by letter.

¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,^(I) who loved us^(J) and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, ¹⁷ encourage^(K) your hearts and strengthen^(L) you in every good deed and word.

Request for Prayer

3 As for other matters, brothers and sisters,^(M) pray for us^(N) that the message of the Lord^(O) may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.^{(P) 2} And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people,^(Q) for not everyone has faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful,^(R) and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.^{(S) 4} We have confidence^(T) in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts^(U) into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

⁴ It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth,^(A) just as the Father commanded us. ⁵ And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning.^(B) I ask that we love one another. ⁶ And this is love:^(C) that we walk in obedience to his commands.^(D) As you have heard from the beginning,^(E) his command is that you walk in love.

⁷ I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ^(F) as coming in the flesh,^(G) have gone out into the world.^(H) Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.^{(I) 8} Watch out that you do not lose what we^[a] have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.^{(J) 9} Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ^(K) does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.^{(L) 10} If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them.^{(M) 11} Anyone who welcomes them shares^(N) in their wicked work.