1 Corinthians 16:18

For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.

A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.

The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.

When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.

but now, no longer having any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come to you,

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state and that he may comfort your hearts.

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such people in honor,

Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.

Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. The Italians greet you.

If you don’t know, most beautiful among women, follow the tracks of the sheep. Graze your young goats beside the shepherds’ tents.

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season?

but taking his leave of them, he said, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem, but I will return again to you if God wills.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.

that you receive her in the Lord, in a way worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of my own self.

that you also be in subjection to such, and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.

Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus,

Therefore we have been comforted. In our comfort we rejoiced the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.

My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you—

But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you,

But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,

(but how could someone who doesn’t know how to rule one’s own house take care of God’s assembly?)

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God,

For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus,

I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. Now I have seen with joy your people, who are present here, offer willingly to you.

the blessing of him who was ready to perish came on me, and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.

One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him, when he comes in his Father’s glory, with the holy angels.”

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Then he said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.

For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”

For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.

So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.

that I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and together with you, find rest.

I beg you therefore, be imitators of me.

No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was given to me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I commanded the assemblies of Galatia, you do likewise.

Great is my boldness of speech toward you. Great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I overflow with joy in all our affliction.

for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.

that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,

For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.

not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.

Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

Let’s fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest.

For you both had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the heavens.

For you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.”

I John, your brother and partner with you in the oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed for the Word of God, and for the testimony of the Lamb which they had.

I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image, and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

The watchman said, “I think the running of the first one is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” The king said, “He is a good man, and comes with good news.”

Increase my honor and comfort me again.

As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.

Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

These two things have happened to you— who will grieve with you?— desolation and destruction, and famine and the sword. How can I comfort you?

I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,

May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain,

Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord.

Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.

I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.