³³ So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”

Qualities Needed in Trials

^19 [a]So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, ^(A)slow to speak, ^(B)slow to wrath;

¹⁴ And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me ^(A)as an ^[a]angel of God, ^(B)even as Christ Jesus.

¹¹ These were more ^[a]fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and ^(A)searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. ¹² Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.

Our Inheritance Through Christ’s Blood

2 Therefore, ^(A)laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, ^2 (B)as newborn babes, desire the pure ^(C)milk of the word, that you may grow ^[a]thereby,

Doers—Not Hearers Only

²¹ Therefore ^(A)lay aside all filthiness and ^[a]overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, ^(B)which is able to save your souls.

Avoid Worldly Wisdom

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

²⁸ “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent ^(A)to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!”

¹⁵ Assuredly, I say to you, ^(A)whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will ^(B)by no means enter it.”

^4 (A)Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.