Therefore,my belovedbrethrenwhom I long[to see], my joyand crown,in this waystand firmin the Lord,my beloved.
Onlyconductyourselves in a manner worthyof the gospelof Christ,sothat whetherI comeand seeyou orremain absent,I will hearof you that you are standing firmin onespirit,with onemindstriving togetherfor the faithof the gospel;
Be on the alert,stand firmin the faith,act like men,be strong.
holding fastthe wordof life,sothat in the dayof ChristI will have reason to glorybecauseI did not runin vainnortoilin vain.
Waitfor the LORD;Be strongand let your hearttakecourage;Yes, waitfor the LORD.
Therefore,my belovedbrethren,be steadfast,immovable,alwaysaboundingin the workof the Lord,knowingthat your toilis not [in] vainin the Lord.
For Godis my witness,howI longfor you allwith the affectionof ChristJesus.
Let us hold fastthe confessionof our hopewithout wavering,for He who promisedis faithful;
to thosewho by perseverancein doinggoodseekfor gloryand honorand immortality,eternallife;
SoJesuswas sayingto thoseJewswho had believedHim, "Ifyou continuein My word,[then] you are trulydisciplesof Mine;
You therefore,my son,be strongin the gracethat is in ChristJesus.
becausehe was longingfor you alland was distressedbecauseyou had heardthat he was sick.
justas you alsopartiallydid understandus, that we are your reason to be proudas you alsoare ours,in the dayof our LordJesus.
Then when he arrivedand witnessedthe graceof God,he rejoicedand [began] to encouragethem allwith resoluteheartto remain[true] to the Lord;
They were continually devoting themselvesto the apostles'teachingand to fellowship,to the breakingof breadand to prayer.
Those who trustin the LORDAre as MountZion,which cannotbe movedbut abidesforever.
You therefore,beloved,knowing this beforehand,be on your guardsothat you are not carried awayby the errorof unprincipled menand fallfrom your ownsteadfastness,
Therefore,since we havea greathigh priestwhohas passed throughthe heavens,Jesusthe Sonof God,let us hold fastour confession.
For we have becomepartakersof Christ,ifwe hold fastthe beginningof our assurancefirmuntilthe end,
So then,brethren,stand firmand holdto the traditionswhichyou were taught,whetherby word[of mouth] orby letterfrom us.
Epaphras,whois one of your number,a bondslaveof JesusChrist,sends you his greetings,alwayslaboring earnestlyfor you in his prayers,that you may standperfectand fully assuredin allthe willof God.
It was for freedomthat Christset us free;thereforekeep standing firmand do not be subjectagainto a yokeof slavery.
strengtheningthe soulsof the disciples,encouragingthem to continuein the faith,and [saying], "Throughmanytribulationswe mustenterthe kingdomof God."
sothat He may establishyour heartswithout blamein holinessbeforeour Godand Fatherat the comingof our LordJesuswith allHis saints.
"You will be hatedby allbecauseof My name,but it is the one who has enduredto the endwho will be saved.
SurelyI would carryit on my shoulder,I would bindit to myself like a crown.