Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

But God Chose You To Be The Firstfruits of Salvation. Stand Firm And Hold On To The Truth

¹³ But^[a] we ought to be giving-thanks to God always for you, brothers having been loved by the Lord, because God chose you to be the firstfruit^[b] for salvation in^[c] the holiness of ^[d] the Spirit and faith^[e] in the truth— ¹⁴ to which also He called you through our good-news, for the obtaining^[f] of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So then, brothers, be standing-firm, and be holding-on-to the traditions which you were taught— whether by word [of mouth] or by our letter. ¹⁶ And may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, the One having loved us and having given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, ¹⁷ comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.

Pray That The Word May Spread Quickly And That We May Be Protected From Evil People

3 Finally, brothers, be praying for us that the word of the Lord may run^[g] and be glorified, just as also with you, ² and that we may be delivered from out-of-place^[h] and evil people. For faith^[i] is not possessed by everyone. ³ But the Lord is faithful— Who will establish you, and protect you from the evil one^[j]. ⁴ And we are confident in the Lord concerning you that the things which we are commanding, you also^[k] are doing and will do. ⁵ And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of ^[l] God and into the endurance of ^[m] Christ.