Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, ¹  bear with my message of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you briefly.

Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, ¹  to exhortation, to teaching.

But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, ¹  encouragement, and consolation.

After the reading from the law and the prophets, ¹  the leaders of the synagogue ²  sent them a message, ³  saying, “Brothers, ⁴  if you have any message ⁵  of exhortation ⁶  for the people, speak it.” ⁷ 

if it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with cheerfulness.

And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons? “My son, do not scorn ¹  the Lord’s discipline or give up when he corrects ²  you.

For the appeal we make ¹  does not come ²  from error or impurity or with deceit,

Do not treat prophecies with contempt.

When they read it aloud, ¹  the people ²  rejoiced at its encouragement. ³ 

After he had gone through those regions ¹  and spoken many words of encouragement ²  to the believers there, ³  he came to Greece, ⁴ 

because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager, ¹  he is coming ²  to you of his own accord. ³ 

And in this way, ¹  with many other exhortations, John ²  proclaimed good news to the people.

So communicate these things with the sort of exhortation or rebuke ¹  that carries full authority. ²  Don’t let anyone look down ³  on you.

Then ¹  the church throughout Judea, Galilee, ²  and Samaria experienced ³  peace and thus was strengthened. ⁴  Living ⁵  in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, the church ⁶  increased in numbers.

He must hold firmly to the faithful message as it has been taught, ¹  so that he will be able to give exhortation in such healthy teaching ²  and correct those who speak against it.