For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait 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 subdue all things to Himself.

Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, 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.

(as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also [are] ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

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

For you are our glory and joy.

For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,

Only let your conduct be 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 mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in the LORD [Are] like Mount Zion, [Which] cannot be moved, [but] abides forever.

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

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

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

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.

strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting [them] to continue in the faith, and [saying,] "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;

Therefore, my beloved brethren, 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 brave, be strong.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

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

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places.]

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

above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints --

Epaphras, who is [one] of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

For now we live, if you stand fast 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.

Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] 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 great reward.

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

You therefore, beloved, since you know [this] beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;

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

keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present [you] faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, [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 trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

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