¹⁸ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.^[a]

⁵ like living stones let yourselves be built^[a] into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.^(A)

Benediction

²⁰ Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,^{(A) 21} make you complete in everything good^[a] so that you may do his will, as he works among us^[b] that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever.^[c] Amen.^(B)

¹² urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.^(A)

¹³ We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.^(B)

⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s^[a] will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,^{(A) 10} so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.^{(B) 11} May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, so that you may have all endurance and patience, joyfully^{(C) 12} giving thanks to the Father,^[b] who has enabled^[c] you^[d] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.

⁹ And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight^{(A) 10} to help you to determine what really matters, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, ¹¹ having produced the harvest^[a] of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

¹⁰ He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.^{[a] 11} You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us, ¹² for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. ¹³ Through the testing of this ministry you^[b] glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your partnership with them and with all others,^{(A) 14} while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!^(B)

²⁸ So, when I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected,^[a] I will set out by way of you to Spain,

¹⁶ to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.^(A)