In conclusion, my friends, be joyful in your union with the Lord. I don't mind repeating what I have written before, and you will be safer if I do so.

Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.

I will always thank the LORD; I will never stop praising him.

I will praise him for what he has done; may all who are oppressed listen and be glad!

I will proclaim your greatness, my God and king; I will thank you forever and ever.

Every day I will thank you; I will praise you forever and ever.

I will praise him as long as I live; I will sing to my God all my life.

Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted.

As the apostles left the Council, they were happy, because God had considered them worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of Jesus.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

He has brought us by faith into this experience of God's grace, in which we now live. And so we boast of the hope we have of sharing God's glory!

We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance,

Be joyful always,

be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.

My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way,

Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Rather be glad that you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may be full of joy when his glory is revealed.

In conclusion, my friends, be joyful in your union with the Lord. I don't mind repeating what I have written before, and you will be safer if I do so.

This is now the third time that I am coming to visit you. "Any accusation must be upheld by the evidence of two or more witnesses"---as the scripture says.

I want to tell those of you who have sinned in the past, and all the others; I said it before during my second visit to you, but I will say it again now that I am away: the next time I come nobody will escape punishment.

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel that is different from the one we preached to you, may he be condemned to hell!