First Convert in Europe

¹⁴ A woman named ^[a]Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a dealer in ^[b]purple fabrics who was [already] a worshiper of God, listened to us; and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention and to respond to the things said by Paul.

⁴⁷ Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and obeys them, I will show you whom he is like:^(A)

¹⁸ So be careful how you listen; for whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a longing for truth], even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”^(A)

²¹ But He answered, “My mother and My brothers are these who listen to the word of God and do it!”

⁴⁵ It is written in the prophets, ‘And they will all be taught of God.’ Everyone who has listened to and learned from the Father, comes to Me.^(A)

⁴ And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom [using clever rhetoric], but [they were delivered] in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit [operating through me] and of [His] power [stirring the minds of the listeners and persuading them],

⁶ Because of these [sinful] things the [divine] wrath of God is coming ^[a]on the sons of disobedience [those who fail to listen and who routinely and obstinately disregard God’s precepts],

¹¹ Concerning this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull and sluggish in [your spiritual] hearing and disinclined to listen.

²² But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].

²⁵ But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but ^[a]an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].