¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.^(A)

⁴ On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.^(A) We are not trying to please people^(B) but God, who tests our hearts.^(C)

⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,^[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith^(A) and of the good teaching that you have followed.^(B)

¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers and sisters,^[a] make every effort to confirm your calling^(A) and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,^(B)

¹⁸ For it is not the one who commends himself^(A) who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.^(B)

⁹ So we make it our goal to please him,^(A) whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you^(A) because you are young, but set an example^(B) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith^(C) and in purity. ¹³ Until I come,^(D) devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,^(E) to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy^(F) when the body of elders^(G) laid their hands on you.^(H)

¹⁵ Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save^(I) both yourself and your hearers.

² Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;^(A) we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.^(B) On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience^(C) in the sight of God.

¹⁴ So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless^(A) and at peace with him.