Book of Common Prayer

²⁴ And now, even though I suffer for you, I am happy. There are still some things for Christ to suffer in his body, which is the church. So I am glad to take my share of his suffering in my body.

²⁵ God gave me work to do for the church people so that you might know all of God's message.

²⁶ This message is about the secret plan of God. People who lived in all the past times of the world did not know about this plan. But now it has been told to God's people.

²⁷ He wanted them to know that his plan is very great and wonderful for those who are not Jews. And this plan is that Christ is in you! He is your hope for all the wonderful things that are to come.

²⁸ We tell about him. We tell everyone to be careful to live in the right way. We teach everyone all he needs to know. We do this so that we can bring everyone before God and he will be grown up in the things of Christ.

²⁹ And I am working for this with all the strength that God gives me.

2 I want you to know how much I care for you and those in the city of Laodicea, and even all those who have never seen me.

² I want them to be strong and to love one another. I want them to understand everything. I want them to know in a more perfect way about God's plan, which is Christ.

³ All the wonderful things there are to know about the plan are found in Christ.

⁴ I say this so that no one may lead you the wrong way by their fine words.

⁵ Even though I am not with you in body, I am with you in spirit. I am happy to see that you stand together well and that you keep on believing in Christ.

⁶ You received Christ Jesus the Lord. So live in him.

⁷ Let your heart be planted in him. Grow up in him. Believe with all your heart what you were taught. And be very thankful to God.

²⁷ `But I say to you who hear, love your enemies. Do good things to those who hate you.

²⁸ Bless those who use bad words about you. Ask God to do good to those who trouble you.

²⁹ `If someone hits you on one side of your face, turn the other side also. `If someone takes your coat, let him have your shirt also.

³⁰ `Give to every one who begs you for something.

³¹ `Do to other people what you want them to do to you.

³² If you love those who love you, what good is there in that? Even bad people love those who love them.

³³ If you do good things to those who do good things to you, what good is there in that? Bad people do the same.

³⁴ If you lend to those who will give to you, what good is there in that? Even bad people lend to bad people, if they think they will get the same from them.

³⁵ `Love your enemies. Do good things. Lend to people and do not look to get anything back. You will be paid well. You will be sons of the Highest One. He is kind to those who do not thank him and to those who are bad.

³⁶ So be kind like your Father.'

³⁷ `Do not judge others and you will not be judged. Do not punish others, and you will not be punished. Let others go free and God will let you go free.

³⁸ Give to people and they will give to you. They will fill your cup, press it down, shake it, and let it run over. That is what they will give to you. How much you give to others is how much God will give to you.'