And now, my friends, good-bye! Strive for perfection; listen to my appeals; agree with one another; live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

In conclusion, my friends, be joyful in your union with the Lord. I don't mind repeating what I have written before, and you will be safer if I do so.

In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.

To conclude: you must all have the same attitude and the same feelings; love one another, and be kind and humble with one another.

and how very great is his power at work in us who believe. This power working in us is the same as the mighty strength

I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves,

'Men of Israel, listen! Today you are going into battle. Do not be afraid of your enemies or lose courage or panic.

The LORD your God is going with you, and he will give you victory.'

Then the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun and told him, "Be confident and determined. You will lead the people of Israel into the land that I promised them, and I will be with you."

Be determined and confident, for you will be the leader of these people as they occupy this land which I promised their ancestors.

Just be determined, be confident; and make sure that you obey the whole Law that my servant Moses gave you. Do not neglect any part of it and you will succeed wherever you go.

Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I, the LORD your God, am with you wherever you go."

Jonathan went to him there and encouraged him with assurances of God's protection,

You must realize that the LORD has chosen you to build his holy Temple. Now do it---and do it with determination."

King David said to his son Solomon, "Be confident and determined. Start the work and don't let anything stop you. The LORD God, whom I serve, will be with you. He will not abandon you, but he will stay with you until you finish the work to be done on his Temple.

But you must be strong and not be discouraged. The work that you do will be rewarded."

You answered me when I called to you; with your strength you strengthened me.

Give strength to hands that are tired and to knees that tremble with weakness.

Tell everyone who is discouraged, "Be strong and don't be afraid! God is coming to your rescue, coming to punish your enemies."

Don't you know? Haven't you heard? The LORD is the everlasting God; he created all the world. He never grows tired or weary. No one understands his thoughts.

But those who trust in the LORD for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.

But now don't be discouraged, any of you. Do the work, for I am with you.

"Have courage! You are now hearing the same words the prophets spoke at the time the foundation was being laid for rebuilding my Temple.

People of Judah and Israel! In the past foreigners have cursed one another by saying, 'May the same disasters fall on you that fell on Judah and Israel!' But I will save you, and then those foreigners will say to one another, 'May you receive the same blessings that came to Judah and Israel!' So have courage and don't be afraid."

Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong.

But his answer was: "My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak." I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me.

I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

May you be made strong with all the strength which comes from his glorious power, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience. And with joy give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to have your share of what God has reserved for his people in the kingdom of light.

As for you, my son, be strong through the grace that is ours in union with Christ Jesus.

But the Lord stayed with me and gave me strength, so that I was able to proclaim the full message for all the Gentiles to hear; and I was rescued from being sentenced to death.

But after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who calls you to share his eternal glory in union with Christ, will himself perfect you and give you firmness, strength, and a sure foundation.