Titus 3

He Put Our Lives Together

1 Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand2 No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous.

3 It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back.4 But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in,5 he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit.6 Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously.7 God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come-an eternity of life!

8 You can count on this.9 Stay away from mindless, pointless quarreling over genealogies and fine print in the law code. That gets you nowhere.10 Warn a quarrelsome person once or twice, but then be done with him.11 It's obvious that such a person is out of line, rebellious against God. By persisting in divisiveness he cuts himself off.

12 As soon as I send either Artemas or Tychicus to you, come immediately and meet me in Nicopolis. I've decided to spend the winter there.13 Give Zenas the lawyer and Apollos a hearty send-off. Take good care of them.

14 Our people have to learn to be diligent in their work so that all necessities are met (especially among the needy) and they don't end up with nothing to show for their lives.

15 All here want to be remembered to you. Say hello to our friends in the faith. Grace to all of you.

Philemon 1

1 I, Paul, am a prisoner for the sake of Christ, here with my brother Timothy. I write this letter to you, Philemon, my good friend and companion in this work -2 also to our sister Apphia, to Archippus, a real trooper, and to the church that meets in your house.3 God's best to you! Christ's blessings on you!

4 Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, "Oh, thank you, God!"5 I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other Christians.6 And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it.7 Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers.

To Call the Slave Your Friend

8 In line with all this I have a favor to ask of you. As Christ's ambassador and now a prisoner for him, I wouldn't hesitate to command this if I thought it necessary,9 but I'd rather make it a personal request.

10 While here in jail, I've fathered a child, so to speak. And here he is, hand-carrying this letter-Onesimus!11 He was useless to you before; now he's useful to both of us.12 I'm sending him back to you, but it feels like I'm cutting off my right arm in doing so.13 I wanted in the worst way to keep him here as your stand-in to help out while I'm in jail for the Message.14 But I didn't want to do anything behind your back, make you do a good deed that you hadn't willingly agreed to.

15 Maybe it's all for the best that you lost him for a while. You're getting him back now for good -16 and no mere slave this time, but a true Christian brother! That's what he was to me-he'll be even more than that to you.

17 So if you still consider me a comrade-in-arms, welcome him back as you would me.18 If he damaged anything or owes you anything, chalk it up to my account.19 This is my personal signature-Paul-and I stand behind it. (I don't need to remind you, do I, that you owe your very life to me?)20 Do me this big favor, friend. You'll be doing it for Christ, but it will also do my heart good.

21 I know you well enough to know you will. You'll probably go far beyond what I've written.22 And by the way, get a room ready for me. Because of your prayers, I fully expect to be your guest again.

23 Epaphras, my cellmate in the cause of Christ, says hello.24 Also my coworkers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.25 All the best to you from the Master, Jesus Christ!

Hebrews 1

1 Going through a long line of prophets, God has been addressing our ancestors in different ways for centuries.2 Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son. By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end.

The Son Is Higher than Angels

3 This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God's nature. He holds everything together by what he says-powerful words! The Son Is Higher than Angels4 far higher than any angel in rank and rule.5 Did God ever say to an angel, "You're my Son; today I celebrate you"? Or, "I'm his Father, he's my Son"?6 When he presents his honored Son to the world, he says, "All angels must worship him."

7 Regarding angels he says, The messengers are winds, the servants are tongues of fire.

8 But he says to the Son, You're God, and on the throne for good; your rule makes everything right.9 You love it when things are right; you hate it when things are wrong. That is why God, your God, poured fragrant oil on your head, Marking you out as king, far above your dear companions.

10 And again to the Son, You, Master, started it all, laid earth's foundations, then crafted the stars in the sky.11 Earth and sky will wear out, but not you; they become threadbare like an old coat;12 You'll fold them up like a worn-out cloak, and lay them away on the shelf. But you'll stay the same, year after year; you'll never fade, you'll never wear out.

13 And did he ever say anything like this to an angel? Sit alongside me here on my throne Until I make your enemies a stool for your feet.

14 Isn't it obvious that all angels are sent to help out with those lined up to receive salvation?