¹⁴ You are my friends^(A) if you do what I command.^{(B) 15} I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.^(C)

¹⁷ The Spirit^(A) and the bride^(B) say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.^(C)

²⁹ The bride belongs to the bridegroom.^(A) The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.^(B)

¹² He says,

¹³ And again,

And again he says,

¹⁴ Since the children have flesh and blood,^(D) he too shared in their humanity^(E) so that by his death he might break the power^(F) of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil^(G)—

⁸ For now we really live, since you are standing firm^(A) in the Lord. ⁹ How can we thank God enough for you^(B) in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?^(C)

¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine,^(A) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,^(B)

¹¹ You will be enriched^(A) in every way so that you can be generous^(B) on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.^(C)

¹² This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs^(D) of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.^{(E) 13} Because of the service^(F) by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God^(G) for the obedience that accompanies your confession^(H) of the gospel of Christ,^(I) and for your generosity^(J) 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^(K) for his indescribable gift!^(L)

²⁹ The disciples,^(A) as each one was able, decided to provide help^(B) for the brothers and sisters^(C) living in Judea.