Ephesians 4

Walk in Unity

1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you towalk worthy of the calling with which you were called,

2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spiritin the bond of peace.

4 Thereisone body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;

5 one Lord,one faith,one baptism;

6 one God and Father of all, whoisabove all, andthrough all, and in you all.

Spiritual Gifts

7 Butto each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

8 Therefore He says:

# “When He ascended on high,

He led captivity captive,

And gave gifts to men.”

9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He who descended is also the Onewho ascended far above all the heavens,that He might fill all things.)

11 And He Himself gave sometobeapostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry,for the edifying ofthe body of Christ,

13 till we all come to the unity of the faithand of the knowledge of the Son of God, toa perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

14 that we should no longer bechildren, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness ofdeceitful plotting,

15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is thehead—Christ—

16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

The New Man

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you shouldno longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,

18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of theblindness of their heart;

19 who, being past feeling,have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But you have not so learned Christ,

21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:

22 that youput off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

23 andbe renewed in the spirit of your mind,

24 and that youput on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Do Not Grieve the Spirit

25 Therefore, putting away lying,“Leteach oneofyouspeak truth with his neighbor,” forwe are members of one another.

26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,

27 nor give place to the devil.

28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but ratherlet him labor, working withhishands what is good, that he may have somethingto give him who has need.

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, butwhat is good for necessary edification,that it may impart grace to the hearers.

30 Anddo not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, andevil speaking be put away from you,with all malice.

32 Andbe kind to one another, tenderhearted,forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 5

Walk in Love

1 Thereforebe imitators of God as dearchildren.

2 Andwalk in love,as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to Godfor a sweet-smelling aroma.

3 But fornication and alluncleanness orcovetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;

4 neither filthiness, norfoolish talking, nor coarse jesting,which are not fitting, but rathergiving of thanks.

5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has anyinheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

7 Therefore do not bepartakers with them.

Walk in Light

8 For you were once darkness, but nowyouarelight in the Lord. Walk as children of light

9 (forthe fruit of the Spiritisin all goodness, righteousness, and truth),

10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

11 And haveno fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather exposethem.

12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.

13 Butall things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.

14 Therefore He says:

# “Awake, you who sleep,

Arise from the dead,

And Christ will give you light.”

Walk in Wisdom

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,

16 redeeming the time,because the days are evil.

17 Therefore do not be unwise, butunderstandwhat the will of the Lordis.

18 Anddo not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

19 speaking to one anotherin psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and makingmelody in your heart to the Lord,

20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Fatherin the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Marriage—Christ and the Church

22 Wives,submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

23 Forthe husband is head of the wife, as alsoChrist is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, soletthe wivesbeto their own husbandsin everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church andgave Himself for her,

26 that He might sanctify and cleanse herwith the washing of waterby the word,

27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church,not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lorddoesthe church.

30 Forwe are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and thetwo shall become one flesh.”

32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33 Neverthelesslet each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wifeseethat sherespectsherhusband.

Ephesians 6

Children and Parents

1 Children,obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:

3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

4 Andyou, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, butbring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Bondservants and Masters

5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh,with fear and trembling,in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;

6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,

8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whetherheisa slave or free.

9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your ownMaster also is in heaven, andthere is no partiality with Him.

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but againstprincipalities, against powers, againstthe rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritualhostsof wickedness in the heavenlyplaces.

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstandin the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore,having girded your waist with truth,having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 above all, takingthe shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

17 Andtake the helmet of salvation, andthe sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,being watchful to this end with all perseverance andsupplication for all the saints—

19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me,that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 for whichI am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

A Gracious Greeting

21 But that you also may know my affairsandhow I am doing,Tychicus, a beloved brother andfaithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you;

22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, andthathe maycomfort your hearts.

23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Gracebewith all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Galatians 1

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, butthrough Jesus Christ and God the Fatherwho raised Him from the dead),

2 and all the brethren who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver usfrom this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

5 to whombeglory forever and ever. Amen.

Only One Gospel

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soonfrom Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,

7 which is not another; but there are somewho trouble you and want topervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But even ifwe, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to youthan what you have received, let him be accursed.

10 Fordo I nowpersuade men, or God? Ordo I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Call to Apostleship

11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.

12 ForI neither received it from man, nor was I taughtit,butitcamethrough the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, howI persecuted the church of God beyond measure andtriedtodestroy it.

14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation,being more exceedingly zealousfor the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God,who separated me from my mother’s womb and calledmethrough His grace,

16 to reveal His Son in me, thatI might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer withflesh and blood,

17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to thosewhowereapostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

Contacts at Jerusalem

18 Then after three yearsI went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.

19 ButI saw none of the other apostles exceptJames, the Lord’s brother.

20 (Nowconcerningthe things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)

21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea whichwerein Christ.

23 But they werehearing only, “He who formerlypersecuted us now preaches the faith which he oncetriedtodestroy.”

24 And theyglorified God in me.

Galatians 2

Defending the Gospel

1 Then after fourteen yearsI went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus withme.

2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, butprivately to those who were of reputation, lest by any meansI might run, or had run, in vain.

3 Yet not even Titus whowaswith me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.

4 Andthisoccurredbecause offalse brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out ourliberty which we have in Christ Jesus,that they might bring us into bondage),

5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, thatthe truth of the gospel might continue with you.

6 But from thosewho seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me;God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemedtobesomethingadded nothing to me.

7 But on the contrary,when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcisedhad been committed to me, asthegospelfor the circumcisedwasto Peter

8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to thecircumcisedalsoworked effectively in me toward the Gentiles),

9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to bepillars, perceivedthe grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship,that weshouldgoto the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

10 Theydesiredonly that we should remember the poor,the very thing which I also was eager to do.

No Return to the Law

11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed;

12 for before certain men came from James,he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward aboutthe truth of the gospel, I said to Peterbeforethemall,“If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?

15 WewhoareJews by nature, and notsinners of the Gentiles,

16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law butby faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and notby the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

17 “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are foundsinners,isChrist therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not!

18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

19 For Ithrough the lawdied to the law that I mightlive to God.

20 I have beencrucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and thelifewhich I now live in the fleshI live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave Himself for me.

21 I do not set aside the grace of God; forif righteousnesscomesthrough the law, then Christ died in vain.”

Galatians 3

Justification by Faith

1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?

2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law,or by the hearing of faith?

3 Are you so foolish?Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect bythe flesh?

4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeeditwasin vain?

5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you,doesHedoitby the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?—

6 just as Abraham“believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

7 Therefore know thatonlythose who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

8 Andthe Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand,saying,“In you all the nations shall be blessed.”

9 So then those whoareof faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

The Law Brings a Curse

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written,“Cursediseveryone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”

11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of Godisevident, for“the just shall live by faith.”

12 Yetthe law is not of faith, but“the man who does them shall live by them.”

13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written,“Cursediseveryone who hangs on a tree”),

14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon theGentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receivethe promise of the Spirit through faith.

The Changeless Promise

15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men:Thoughitisonly a man’s covenant, yetifitisconfirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.

16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as ofone,“And to your Seed,” who isChrist.

17 And this I say,thatthe law,which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ,that it should make the promise of no effect.

18 For ifthe inheritanceisof the law,itisno longer of promise; but God gaveitto Abraham by promise.

Purpose of the Law

19 What purpose thendoesthe lawserve?It was added because of transgressions, till theSeed should come to whom the promise was made;anditwasappointed through angels by the handof a mediator.

20 Now a mediator does notmediatefor oneonly,but God is one.

21 Isthe law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.

22 But the Scripture has confinedall under sin,that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.

24 Thereforethe law was our tutortobringusto Christ,that we might be justified by faith.

25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Sons and Heirs

26 For youare all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

27 Foras many of you as were baptized into Christhave put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek,there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are allone in Christ Jesus.

29 Andif youareChrist’s, then you are Abraham’sseed, andheirs according to the promise.

Galatians 4

1 Now I saythatthe heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all,

2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.

3 Even so we, when we were children,were in bondage under the elements of the world.

4 Butwhen the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son,bornof a woman,born under the law,

5 to redeem those who were under the law,that we might receive the adoption as sons.

6 And because you are sons, God has sent forththe Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son,and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Fears for the Church

8 But then, indeed,when you did not know God,you served those which by nature are not gods.

9 But nowafter you have known God, or rather are known by God,howisitthatyou turn again tothe weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?

10 You observe days and months and seasons and years.

11 I am afraid for you,lest I have labored for you in vain.

12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for Ibecamelike you.You have not injured me at all.

13 You know thatbecause of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.

14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received meas an angel of God,evenas Christ Jesus.

15 What then was the blessing youenjoyed?For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.

16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

17 Theyzealously court you,butfor no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.

18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.

19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,

20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.

Two Covenants

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?

22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons:the one by a bondwoman,the other by a freewoman.

23 But hewhowasof the bondwomanwas born according to the flesh,and he of the freewoman through promise,

24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from MountSinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—

25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—

26 but theJerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.

27 For it is written:

# “Rejoice, O barren,

Youwho do not bear!

Break forth and shout,

You who are not in labor!

For the desolate has many more children

Than she who has a husband.”

28 Nowwe, brethren, as Isaacwas,arechildren of promise.

29 But, ashe who was born according to the flesh then persecuted himwhowasbornaccording to the Spirit,even soitisnow.

30 Nevertheless what doesthe Scripture say?“Cast out the bondwoman and her son, forthe son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.”

31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

Galatians 5

Christian Liberty

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with ayoke of bondage.

2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you thatif you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.

3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcisedthat he is a debtor to keep the whole law.

4 You have become estranged from Christ, you whoattempttobe justified by law;you have fallen from grace.

5 For we through the Spirit eagerlywait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

6 Forin Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, butfaith working through love.

Love Fulfills the Law

7 Youran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

8 This persuasion does notcomefrom Him who calls you.

9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision,why do I still suffer persecution? Thenthe offense of the cross has ceased.

12 I could wish that thosewho trouble you would even cut themselves off!

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; onlydo notuseliberty as anopportunity for the flesh, butthrough love serve one another.

14 Forall the law is fulfilled in one word,evenin this:“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

Walking in the Spirit

16 I say then:Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

17 Forthe flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another,so that you do not do the things that you wish.

18 Butif you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Nowthe works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,

21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also toldyouin time past, thatthose who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 Butthe fruit of the Spirit islove, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness,goodness,faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control.Against such there is no law.

24 And thosewhoareChrist’shave crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 6

Bear and Share the Burdens

1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you whoarespiritual restore such a one in a spirit ofgentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfillthe law of Christ.

3 Forif anyone thinks himself to be something, whenhe is nothing, he deceives himself.

4 Butlet each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, andnot in another.

5 Foreach one shall bear his own load.

Be Generous and Do Good

6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; forwhatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reapeverlasting life.

9 Andlet us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reapif we do not lose heart.

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity,let us do good to all,especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Glory Only in the Cross

11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!

12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, thesewouldcompel you to be circumcised,only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

14 But God forbid that I should boast except in thecross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, andI to the world.

15 Forin Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Blessing and a Plea

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercybeupon them, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christbewith your spirit. Amen.

II Corinthians 1

Greeting

1 Paul,an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, andTimothyourbrother,

# To the church of God which is at Corinth,with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Comfort in Suffering

3 Blessedbethe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

4 whocomforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

5 For asthe sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

6 Now if we are afflicted,itisfor your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

7 And our hope for youissteadfast, because we know thatas you are partakers of the sufferings, so alsoyouwillpartakeof the consolation.

Delivered from Suffering

8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, ofour trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.

9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we shouldnot trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,

10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliverus,

11 you alsohelping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalffor the giftgrantedto us through many.

Paul’s Sincerity

12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity andgodly sincerity,not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.

13 For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end

14 (as also you have understood us in part),that we are your boast asyou alsoareours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Sparing the Church

15 And in this confidenceI intended to come to you before, that you might havea second benefit—

16 to pass by way of you to Macedonia,to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea.

17 Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I planaccording to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No?

18 ButasGodisfaithful, our word to you was not Yes and No.

19 Forthe Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me,Silvanus, andTimothy—was not Yes and No,but in Him was Yes.

20 For all the promises of God in HimareYes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ andhas anointed usisGod,

22 whoalso has sealed us andgiven us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

23 MoreoverI call God as witness against my soul,that to spare you I came no more to Corinth.

24 Notthat we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; forby faith you stand.