³¹ So the church^(A) throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it increased in numbers.

¹¹ Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord,^(A) we seek to persuade people. We are completely open before God, and I hope we are completely open to your consciences as well.

7 Therefore, dear friends, since we have such promises,^(A) let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of the flesh and spirit,^(B) completing our sanctification^[a] in the fear of God.^(C)