The Day Is Near

¹¹ And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come^(A) for you to wake up from your slumber,^(B) because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

Do Everything Without Grumbling

¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,^(A)

⁸ But since we belong to the day,^(A) let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate,^(B) and the hope of salvation^(C) as a helmet.^(D)

Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom

¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness^(A) to those who are perishing,^(B) but to us who are being saved^(C) it is the power of God.^(D)

¹⁰ Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation^(A) and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

⁵ who through faith are shielded by God’s power^(A) until the coming of the salvation^(B) that is ready to be revealed^(C) in the last time. ⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice,^(D) though now for a little while^(E) you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.^{(F) 7} These have come so that the proven genuineness^(G) of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire^(H)—may result in praise, glory and honor^(I) when Jesus Christ is revealed.^{(J) 8} Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him^(K) and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.^(L)

² Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,^(A) so that by it you may grow up^(B) in your salvation,

³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,^(A) with whom you were sealed^(B) for the day of redemption.^(C)

¹⁵ For we are to God the pleasing aroma^(A) of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.^(B)