it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant, which consists not of a written law but of the Spirit. The written law brings death, but the Spirit gives life.

Because we have this hope, we are very bold.

All this is done by God, who through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also.

I was made a servant of the gospel by God's special gift, which he gave me through the working of his power.

I am less than the least of all God's people; yet God gave me this privilege of taking to the Gentiles the Good News about the infinite riches of Christ,

Now, concerning what you wrote about unmarried people: I do not have a command from the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord's mercy is worthy of trust.

even though in the past I spoke evil of him and persecuted and insulted him. But God was merciful to me because I did not yet have faith and so did not know what I was doing.

At one time you were not God's people, but now you are his people; at one time you did not know God's mercy, but now you have received his mercy.

For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day.

Even those who are young grow weak; young people can fall exhausted.

So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest.

I beg you, then, not to be discouraged because I am suffering for you; it is all for your benefit.

I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

But you, friends, must not become tired of doing good.

Think of what he went through; how he put up with so much hatred from sinners! So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up.

You are patient, you have suffered for my sake, and you have not given up.