28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

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28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing(A) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,(B) so that we may present everyone fully mature(C) in Christ.

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15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

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15 Then I will give you shepherds(A) after my own heart,(B) who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.

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27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

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27 and to present her to himself(A) as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.(B)

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11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

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11 So Christ himself gave(A) the apostles,(B) the prophets,(C) the evangelists,(D) the pastors and teachers,(E) 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ(F) may be built up(G) 13 until we all reach unity(H) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God(I) and become mature,(J) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.(K)

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24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

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24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.(A) 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,(B)

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Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

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God’s Wisdom Revealed by the Spirit

We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature,(A) but not the wisdom of this age(B) or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.(C)

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12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

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Final Instructions

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard(A) among you, who care for you in the Lord(B) and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.(C) 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle(D) and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,(E) be patient with everyone.

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22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

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22 But now he has reconciled(A) you by Christ’s physical body(B) through death to present you(C) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation(D)

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48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

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48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.(A)

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16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

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16 Let the message of Christ(A) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom(B) through psalms,(C) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.(D)

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15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

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15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.(A) 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition,(B) not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.(C) 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

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Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

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Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,(A) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles(B) the boundless riches of Christ,(C)

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14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:

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14 We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you(A) with the gospel of Christ.(B)

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