You see, at just the right time,
when we were still powerless,
Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man,
though for a good man someone might
possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love us in this:
While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
…live as citizens of heaven,
conducting yourselves in a manner worthy
of the Good News about Christ.
…standing together with one spirit and one purpose,
fighting together for the faith,
which is the Good News.
…experience the joy of your faith.
…live as citizens of heaven,
conducting yourselves in a manner worthy
of the Good News about Christ.
For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed,
but that I will continue to be bold for Christ,
as I have been in the past.
And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ,
whether I life or die.
For to me,
living means living for Christ,
and dying is even better.
Peace be with you,
dear brothers and sisters,
and may God the Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ
give you love with faithfulness.
May God’s grace be eternally upon all
who love our Lord Jesus Christ.
\Pray in the Spirit at all times
and on every occasion.
Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers
for all believers everywhere.
A final word:
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on all of God’s armor
so that you will be able to stand firm
against all strategies of the devil.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies,
but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world,
against mighty powers in this dark world,
and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret.
We will not all die,
but we will all be transformed!
It will happen in a moment,
in the blink of an eye,
when the last trumpet is blown.
For when the trumpet sounds,
those who have died will be raised to live forever.
And we who are living will also be transformed.
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom
and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?
Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?”
The man who had been freed from the demons
begged to go with him.
But Jesus sent him home, saying,
“No, go back to your family,
and tell them everything God has done for you.”
So he went all through the town
proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.
