The End Times

12 “At that time Michael,^(A) the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress^(B) such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book^(C)—will be delivered.^{(D) 2} Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake:^(E) some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.^{(F) 3} Those who are wise^[a](G) will shine^(H) like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness,^(I) like the stars for ever and ever.^(J)

Do Everything Without Grumbling

¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,^{(A) 13} for it is God who works in you^(B) to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.^(C)

¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling^(D) or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless^(E) and pure, “children of God^(F) without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”^[a](G) Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ^(H) that I did not run^(I) or labor in vain.^{(J) 17} But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering^(K) on the sacrifice^(L) and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.^{(M) 18} So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

¹⁹ I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy^(N) to you soon,^(O) that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. ²⁰ I have no one else like him,^(P) who will show genuine concern for your welfare. ²¹ For everyone looks out for their own interests,^(Q) not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father^(R) he has served with me in the work of the gospel. ²³ I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.^{(S) 24} And I am confident^(T) in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

²⁵ But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker^(U) and fellow soldier,^(V) who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.^{(W) 26} For he longs for all of you^(X) and is distressed because you heard he was ill. ²⁷ Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I am all the more eager to send him,^(Y) so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. ²⁹ So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,^{(Z) 30} because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.^(AA)

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world.^(A) A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.^{(B) 16} In the same way, let your light shine before others,^(C) that they may see your good deeds^(D) and glorify^(E) your Father in heaven.