12 And so, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, with reverence and self- distrust work out your own salvation;
13 for it is God who, in his good-will is ever working in you both will and deed.
14 Do everything without grumbling and disputes,
15 that you may become blameless and innocent, the sons of God, without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like stars in a dark world,
16 holding out a message of life. Thus it will be my boast at the day of Christ that I have not run in vain, or toiled for nothing.