Study Desk

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief;

So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober;

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you;

See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.

but test everything; hold fast to what is good;

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who now restrains it is removed.

so that all who have not believed the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness will be condemned.

But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you.

This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate.

Do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers.

But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.

This means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers,

even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,

But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life.

but with good works, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God.