¹⁸ But grow in the grace^(A) and knowledge^(B) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.^(C) To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.^(D)

⁹ But you are a chosen people,^(A) a royal priesthood,^(B) a holy nation,^(C) God’s special possession,^(D) that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.^{(E) 10} Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God;^(F) once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built^(A) into a spiritual house^[a](B) to be a holy priesthood,^(C) offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.^(D)

Benediction and Final Greetings

²⁰ Now may the God of peace,^(A) who through the blood of the eternal covenant^(B) brought back from the dead^(C) our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,^{(D) 21} equip you with everything good for doing his will,^(E) and may he work in us^(F) what is pleasing to him,^(G) through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(H)

¹² encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy^(A) of God, who calls^(B) you into his kingdom and glory.

¹³ And we also thank God continually^(C) because, when you received the word of God,^(D) which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you,^(A) we have not stopped praying for you.^(B) We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will^(C) through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,^{[a](D) 10} so that you may live a life worthy^(E) of the Lord and please him^(F) in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,^{(G) 11} being strengthened with all power^(H) according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,^{(I) 12} and giving joyful thanks to the Father,^(J) who has qualified you^[b] to share in the inheritance^(K) of his holy people in the kingdom of light.^(L)

⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love^(A) may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,^{(B) 10} so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,^{(C) 11} filled with the fruit of righteousness^(D) that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food^(A) will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.^{(B) 11} You will be enriched^(C) in every way so that you can be generous^(D) on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.^(E)

¹² This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs^(F) of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.^{(G) 13} Because of the service^(H) by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God^(I) for the obedience that accompanies your confession^(J) of the gospel of Christ,^(K) and for your generosity^(L) in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴ And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God^(M) for his indescribable gift!^(N)

²⁸ So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain^(A) and visit you on the way.