So then, encourage one another with these words.

Instead, in order that none of you be deceived by sin and become stubborn, you must help one another every day, as long as the word "Today" in the scripture applies to us.

Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.

So then, we must always aim at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another.

Instead, we should all please other believers for their own good, in order to build them up in the faith.

"We are allowed to do anything," so they say. That is true, but not everything is good. "We are allowed to do anything"---but not everything is helpful.

I would like for all of you to speak in strange tongues; but I would rather that you had the gift of proclaiming God's message. For the person who proclaims God's message is of greater value than the one who speaks in strange tongues---unless there is someone present who can explain what is said, so that the whole church may be helped.

Since you are eager to have the gifts of the Spirit, you must try above everything else to make greater use of those which help to build up the church.

Two or three who are given God's message should speak, while the others are to judge what they say.

Perhaps you think that all along we have been trying to defend ourselves before you. No! We speak as Christ would have us speak in the presence of God, and everything we do, dear friends, is done to help you.

He did this to prepare all God's people for the work of Christian service, in order to build up the body of Christ.

Under his control all the different parts of the body fit together, and the whole body is held together by every joint with which it is provided. So when each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love.

Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.

Tell them to give up those legends and those long lists of ancestors, which only produce arguments; they do not serve God's plan, which is known by faith.

But you, my friends, keep on building yourselves up on your most sacred faith. Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,

And you have, in fact, behaved like this toward all the believers in all of Macedonia. So we beg you, our friends, to do even more.

My friends: I myself feel sure that you are full of goodness, that you have all knowledge, and that you are able to teach one another.

And so I will always remind you of these matters, even though you already know them and are firmly grounded in the truth you have received.