Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

⁷ in all things.

Make sure you present yourself as a pattern of good works. Your teaching must be consistent and serious, ⁸ in healthy speech that is beyond reproach. That way, our opponents will be ashamed, since they won’t have anything bad to say about us.

Grace, hope and holiness

¹¹ God’s saving grace, you see, appeared for all people. ¹² It teaches us that we should turn our backs on ungodliness and the passions of the world, and should live sober, just and devout lives in the present age, ¹³ while we wait eagerly for the blessed hope and royal appearing of the glory of our great God and savior, Jesus the Messiah. ¹⁴ He gave himself for us so that he could ransom us from all lawless actions and purify for himself a people as his very own who would be eager for good works.

¹⁵ This is what you must say. Exhort people and rebuke them. Use full authority. Don’t let anyone look down on you.