So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another.

We are coworkers belonging to God. ¹  You are God’s field, God’s building.

In him ¹  the whole building, ²  being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,

Likewise, just as it was ¹  in the days of Lot, people ²  were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building;

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit, ¹ 

He is like a man ¹  building a house, who dug down deep, ²  and laid the foundation on bedrock. When ³  a flood came, the river ⁴  burst against that house but ⁵  could not shake it, because it had been well built. ⁶ 

For we know that if our earthly house, the tent we live in, ¹  is dismantled, ²  we have a building from God, a house not built by human hands, that is eternal in the heavens.

For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us ¹  for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so. ² 

You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, ¹  that it may give grace to those who hear.

Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive ¹  I may not have to deal harshly with you ²  by using my authority – the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!