You call on a Father who judges each person’s work without favoring one person over another. So live with the highest respect for God during your time as outsiders here.
And so, my dear friends, as you’ve always obeyed God—not just while I was with you, but even more now that I’m not with you— continue to work out your own salvation. Do it with fear and trembling.
Command people who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to put their hope in riches, which are so uncertain. Tell them to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
Give her as much pain and suffering as she gave glory and wealth to herself. She brags in her heart, ‘I rule on a throne like a queen. I’m not a widow; I’ll never mourn.’
With the help of Silas, who I consider to be a faithful brother, I’ve written you this short letter to encourage you and to confirm that this is the true grace of God. Remain strong in it.
Fight back against him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is going through the same kind of suffering.
He’ll oppose everything that’s called God or is worshiped, and he’ll give himself power over everything. He’ll set himself up in God’s temple and announce that he’s God himself.
But when they opposed Paul and treated him badly, he shook out his clothes in protest. He told them, “God’s judgment against you will be your own fault! Don’t blame me for it! From now on, I will go to the Gentiles.”
“I tell you, the tax collector went home accepted by God, but the Pharisee didn’t. All those who lift themselves up will be humbled, but those who humble themselves will be lifted up.”
By the grace that has been given to me, I say to every one of you, don’t think of yourself more highly than you should. Have a reasonable view of yourself, based on the faith God has given to each of you.