Final Exhortations

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!^(A)

¹⁶ Rejoice always,^{(A) 17} pray continually,^{(B) 18} give thanks in all circumstances;^(C) for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

¹² Be joyful in hope,^(A) patient in affliction,^(B) faithful in prayer.^(C)

Trials and Temptations

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,^{(A) 3} because you know that the testing of your faith^(B) produces perseverance.^{(C) 4} Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature^(D) and complete, not lacking anything.

No Confidence in the Flesh

3 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again,^(A) and it is a safeguard for you.

¹² Rejoice and be glad,^(A) because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.^(B)

² through whom we have gained access^(A) by faith into this grace in which we now stand.^(B) And we^[a] boast in the hope^(C) of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we^[b] also glory in our sufferings,^(D) because we know that suffering produces perseverance;^(E)

¹³ But rejoice^(A) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,^(B) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.^(C)

²⁵ About midnight^(A) Paul and Silas^(B) were praying and singing hymns^(C) to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.