For in union with Christ you have become rich in all things, including all speech and all knowledge.

As a matter of fact, my friends, I could not talk to you as I talk to people who have the Spirit; I had to talk to you as though you belonged to this world, as children in the Christian faith.

I had to feed you milk, not solid food, because you were not ready for it. And even now you are not ready for it,

It is not right for you to be proud! You know the saying, "A little bit of yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise."

Some people pretend to be rich, but have nothing. Others pretend to be poor, but own a fortune.

People who promise things that they never give are like clouds and wind that bring no rain.

You are doomed! You think you are wise, so very clever.

He has stretched out his mighty arm and scattered the proud with all their plans.

He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away with empty hands.

"How terrible for you who are full now; you will go hungry! "How terrible for you who laugh now; you will mourn and weep!

And because of God's gracious gift to me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking, and judge yourself according to the amount of faith that God has given you.

Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise.

If you think you are something when you really are nothing, you are only deceiving yourself.

You say, 'I am rich and well off; I have all I need.' But you do not know how miserable and pitiful you are! You are poor, naked, and blind.

Some of you have become proud because you have thought that I would not be coming to visit you.

I know that after I leave, fierce wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock.

The time will come when some men from your own group will tell lies to lead the believers away after them.

Now, the important thing is that your way of life should be as the gospel of Christ requires, so that, whether or not I am able to go and see you, I will hear that you are standing firm with one common purpose and that with only one desire you are fighting together for the faith of the gospel.

So then, dear friends, as you always obeyed me when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey me now while I am away from you. Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation,

Moses answered, "Are you concerned about my interests? I wish that the LORD would give his spirit to all his people and make all of them shout like prophets!"

"Whether a short time or a long time," Paul answered, "my prayer to God is that you and all the rest of you who are listening to me today might become what I am---except, of course, for these chains!"

I wish you would tolerate me, even when I am a bit foolish. Please do!

Here the kings of Israel sat to judge their people.

May there be peace inside your walls and safety in your palaces."

For the sake of the house of the LORD our God I pray for your prosperity.

"Wonderful! I hope the LORD will do this! I certainly hope he will make your prophecy come true and will bring back from Babylonia all the Temple treasures and all the people who were taken away as prisoners.

Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep.

We are glad when we are weak but you are strong. And so we also pray that you will become perfect.

After all, it is you---you, no less than others!---who are our hope, our joy, and our reason for boasting of our victory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes.

Indeed, you are our pride and our joy!

Now Timothy has come back, and he has brought us the welcome news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always think well of us and that you want to see us just as much as we want to see you.

because now we really live if you stand firm in your life in union with the Lord.

This is a true saying: "If we have died with him, we shall also live with him.

If we continue to endure, we shall also rule with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us.

You have made them a kingdom of priests to serve our God, and they shall rule on earth."