Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer

² I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to ^(A)agree in the Lord. ³ Yes, I ask you also, true companion,^[a] help these women, who have labored^[b] side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, ^(B)whose names are in the book of life.

^4 (C)Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your reasonableness^[c] be known to everyone. ^(D)The Lord is at hand; ^6 (E)do not be anxious about anything, ^(F)but in everything by prayer and supplication ^(G)with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And ^(H)the peace of God, ^(I)which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ What you have learned^[d] and ^(J)received and heard and seen ^(K)in me—practice these things, and ^(L)the God of peace will be with you.

Wisdom from Above

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? ^(A)By his good conduct let him show his works ^(B)in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter ^(C)jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. ¹⁵ This is not ^(D)the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, ^(E)demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. ¹⁷ But ^(F)the wisdom from above is first pure, then ^(G)peaceable, gentle, open to reason, ^(H)full of mercy and good fruits, ^(I)impartial and ^(J)sincere. ¹⁸ And ^(K)a harvest of righteousness ^(L)is sown in peace by those who make peace.

^12 (A)Rejoice in hope, ^(B)be patient in tribulation, ^(C)be constant in prayer. ^13 (D)Contribute to the needs of the saints and ^(E)seek to show hospitality.

^14 (F)Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ^15 (G)Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ^16 (H)Live in harmony with one another. ^(I)Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.^{[a] (J)}Never be wise in your own sight. ^17 (K)Repay no one evil for evil, but ^(L)give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, ^(M)live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, ^(N)never avenge yourselves, but leave it^[b] to the wrath of God, for it is written, ^(O)“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, ^(P)“if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

^3 (A)Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, ^(B)not slanderers ^(C)or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,

³ not a drunkard, not violent but ^(A)gentle, not quarrelsome, ^(B)not a lover of money.