¹⁸ because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.^(A)

⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness^(A) of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire^(B)—may result in praise, glory and honor^(C) when Jesus Christ is revealed.^(D)

² Remember how the Lord your God led^(A) you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test^(B) you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

¹⁰ They must first be tested;^(A) and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

²² But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father^(A) he has served with me in the work of the gospel.

²² In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you.

⁹ Another reason I wrote you^(A) was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.^(B)

¹⁹ No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.^(A)

Final Greetings

¹⁹ Greet Priscilla^[a] and Aquila^(A) and the household of Onesiphorus.^(B)