⁴¹ Then those who ^[a]gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. ^42 (A)And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ ^[b]doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. ⁴³ Then fear came upon every soul, and ^(B)many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ Now all who believed were together, and ^(C)had all things in common, ⁴⁵ and ^[c]sold their possessions and goods, and ^(D)divided^[d] them among all, as anyone had need.

^46 (E)So continuing daily with one accord ^(F)in the temple, and ^(G)breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And ^(H)the Lord added ^[e]to the church daily those who were being saved.

The Majesty and Condescension of God

Be Strong in Grace

2 You therefore, ^(A)my son, ^(B)be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. ³ You therefore must ^(C)endure^[a] hardship ^(D)as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ^4 (E)No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. ⁵ And also ^(F)if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. ⁷ Consider what I say, and ^[b]may the Lord ^(G)give you understanding in all things.

⁸ Remember that Jesus Christ, ^(H)of the seed of David, ^(I)was raised from the dead ^(J)according to my gospel, ^9 (K)for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, ^(L)even to the point of chains; ^(M)but the word of God is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore ^(N)I endure all things for the sake of the ^[c]elect, ^(O)that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

¹¹ This is a faithful saying:

Approved and Disapproved Workers

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, ^(T)charging them before the Lord not to ^[d]strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. ^15 (U)Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Faith and Duty^(A)

⁵ And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

^6 (B)So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. ⁷ And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? ⁸ But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself ^(C)and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? ⁹ Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded ^[a]him? I think not. ¹⁰ So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are ^(D)unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”