The Song of Moses and Miriam

15 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song^(A) to the Lord:

⁴⁴ He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you:^(A) Everything must be fulfilled^(B) that is written about me in the Law of Moses,^(C) the Prophets^(D) and the Psalms.”^(E)

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer^(F) and rise from the dead on the third day,^{(G) 47} and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name^(H) to all nations,^(I) beginning at Jerusalem.^{(J) 48} You are witnesses^(K) of these things. ⁴⁹ I am going to send you what my Father has promised;^(L) but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

²⁸ I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”^(A)

²⁹ Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.^{(B) 30} Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe^(C) that you came from God.”^(D)

³¹ “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. ³² “A time is coming^(E) and in fact has come when you will be scattered,^(F) each to your own home. You will leave me all alone.^(G) Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.^(H)

³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.^(I) In this world you will have trouble.^(J) But take heart! I have overcome^(K) the world.”

⁶ Even if I should choose to boast,^(A) I would not be a fool,^(B) because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, ⁷ or because of these surpassingly great revelations.^(C) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,^(D) a messenger of Satan,^(E) to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.^{(F) 9} But he said to me, “My grace^(G) is sufficient for you, for my power^(H) is made perfect in weakness.^(I)”^(J) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight^(K) in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,^(L) in persecutions,^(M) in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.^(N)

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord^(A) and in his mighty power.^{(B) 11} Put on the full armor of God,^(C) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(D) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(E) against the powers^(F) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^{(G) 13} Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(H) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,^(I) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^{(J) 15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^{(K) 16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(L) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(M) 17} Take the helmet of salvation^(N) and the sword of the Spirit,^(O) which is the word of God.^(P)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit^(Q) on all occasions^(R) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(S) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(T) for all the Lord’s people.

Final Exhortations

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!^{(A) 5} Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.^{(B) 6} Do not be anxious about anything,^(C) but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.^{(D) 7} And the peace of God,^(E) which transcends all understanding,^(F) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.^(G) And the God of peace^(H) will be with you.

Thanks for Their Gifts

¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.^(I) Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content^(J) whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,^(K) whether living in plenty or in want.^{(L) 13} I can do all this through him who gives me strength.^(M)

¹⁴ Yet it was good of you to share^(N) in my troubles.