³³ So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

Hearing and Doing the Word

^19 (A)Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person ^(B)be quick to hear, ^(C)slow to speak, ^(D)slow to anger;

¹⁴ and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me ^(A)as an angel of God, ^(B)as Christ Jesus.

¹¹ Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, ^(A)examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. ^12 (B)Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek ^(C)women of high standing as well as men.

A Living Stone and a Holy People

2 ^(A)So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. ^2 (B)Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual ^(C)milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

²¹ Therefore ^(A)put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with ^(B)meekness the implanted word, ^(C)which is able to save your souls.

^18 (A)Let no one deceive himself. ^(B)If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

²⁸ Therefore let it be known to you that ^(A)this ^(B)salvation of God ^(C)has been sent to the Gentiles; ^(D)they will listen.”^[a]

^15 (A)Truly, I say to you, whoever does not ^(B)receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

^4 (A)Whoever humbles himself like this child is the ^(B)greatest in the kingdom of heaven.