For this very reason do your best to add to your faith manliness, and to manliness knowledge,

So, brothers, take diligent care to make your calling and election sure; for if you do this, you will never stumble.

And so, beloved, since you are looking for these things, continually give diligence that you may be found in peace, unspotted and blameless in his sight.

So then it is not a question of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy.

So I will do my best to enable you, even after my departure, continually to call these things to mind.

"Struggle to enter in by the narrow door," he answered, "for I tell you that many will try to enter and not be able,

Strive earnestly to present yourself unto God, tested and proved worthy by trial, a workman unashamed, ever cutting a straight path for the message of the truth.

holding out a message of life. Thus it will be my boast at the day of Christ that I have not run in vain, or toiled for nothing.

and endeavor to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace.

Do your best to come to me speedily,

Run swiftly after peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

Are you so without sense? After beginning with the Spirit, will you now end with the flesh?

Beloved, although I was making all haste to write to you in regard to our common salvation, I am compelled to write you an appeal to defend the faith once for all committed to the saints.

So then let is eagerly pursue the things that make for peace and the upbuilding of each other.

"For as you go before the magistrate with your opponent do your utmost to get quit of him, lest he drag you before the judge, and the judge delivers you over to the officer, and the officer cast you into prison.

I am alarmed about you for fear lest I may have bestowed labor on you to no purpose.

because you know that whatever good any man does, the same shall he receive from the Lord, whether he be slave or free man.

For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you showed for his cause, in sending help to your fellow Christians, as you are still doing.

for it is God who, in his good-will is ever working in you both will and deed.

So, my brothers beloved, stand firm, immovable, always abounding in work for the Lord, because you know that your toil is not fruitless in the Lord.

Do try to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brotherhood.

although I myself might have confidence in outward rites. If any one else claims a right to trust in them, far more may I;

But I, my brothers, although torn from you for a short season (in presence, not in heart), made eager efforts to behold you face to face with strong longing.

"yet because we know that no man is justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, we ourselves also have put our faith in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law; for "By the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified."