For our citizenship exists in heaven, from which also we eagerly await for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

who will transform our lowly body, that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subject all things to Himself.

Therefore, [seeing that] all these things shall be dissolved, what sort of [people] ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

But according to His promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.

holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

just as also you have understood us in part, that we are your boasting, as indeed you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of boasting? [Is] it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?

For you are our glory and joy.

For whatever thanksgiving can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we are rejoicing because of you in the presence of our God,

Only conduct yourselves worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving together for the faith of the gospel,

Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and let your heart be strengthened; yea, wait on the Lord!

A Song of Degrees. They that trust in the Lord [shall be] as Mount Zion: he that dwells in Jerusalem shall never be moved.

And you will be hated by all [people] for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Then Jesus said to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word, truly you are My disciples.

You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

Abide in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit on its own, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

And they were continuing in the teaching of the apostles, and in fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

who, arriving and seeing the grace of God, was glad, and encouraged them all with purpose of heart to continue with the Lord,

strengthening the souls of the disciples, urging [them] to continue in the faith, [saying], "Through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God."

to those who by the endurance of good works are seeking glory and honor and incorruption--eternal life.

So then, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be courageous, be strong.

Stand fast therefore in the freedom in which Christ has made us free, and do not be loaded down again with a yoke of bondage.

Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual [forces] of evil in the heavenlies.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

through every prayer and petition, praying in every season in the Spirit, being watchful to this same thing with all perseverance and petition concerning all the saints--

Epaphras greets you, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, always struggling for you in his prayers, that you may stand mature and complete in all the will of God.

Because now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

So then, brothers, stand fast and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our letter.

You therefore, my child, be empowered by the grace which is in Christ Jesus.

For we have become partakers of Christ, if indeed we hold fast the beginning of the assurance firm until the end,

Therefore having a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the confession.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has a great recompense.

For you have need of endurance, so that having done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on guard, lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being carried away by the error of the wicked;

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

keep yourselves in the love of God, anticipating the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

Now to Him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to make you stand before His glory, blameless with exultation,

To the only wise God our Savior, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those that dwell upon the earth.

I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no man may take your crown.