cooperation

¹Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, any solace of charity, any fellowship of the Spirit, any feelings of commiseration: ²complete my joy by having the same understanding, holding to the same charity, being of one mind, with the same sentiment. ³Let nothing be done by contention, nor in vain glory. Instead, in humility, let each of you esteem others to be better than himself. ⁴Let each of you not consider anything to be your own, but rather to belong to others. ⁵For this understanding in you was also in Christ Jesus: ⁶who, though he was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be seized.

³Will two walk together, unless they have agreed to do so?

⁶And so we built the wall, and we joined it together, even to the unfinished portion. And the heart of the people was stirred up for the work.

³Be anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit within the bonds of peace.

¹A Canticle in steps: of David. Behold, how good and how pleasing it is for brothers to dwell in unity.

⁸He is one, and he does not have a second: no son, no brother. And yet he does not cease to labor, nor are his eyes satisfied with wealth, nor does he reflect, saying: “For whom do I labor and cheat my soul of good things?” In this, too, is emptiness and a most burdensome affliction. ⁹Therefore, it is better for two to be together, than for one to be alone. For they have the advantage of their companionship. ¹⁰If one falls, he shall be supported by the other. Woe to one who is alone. For when he falls, he has no one to lift him up. ¹¹And if two are sleeping, they warm one another. How can one person alone be warmed? ¹²And if a man can prevail against one, two may withstand him, and a threefold cord is broken with difficulty.

⁴⁰But let everything be done respectfully and according to proper order.

¹²Then the hands of Moses became heavy. And so, taking a stone, they placed it beneath him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur sustained his hands from both sides. And it happened that his hands did not tire until the setting of the sun.

³And they came to him, bringing a paralytic, who was being carried by four men.

¹⁷Iron sharpens iron, and a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

¹And certain ones, descending from Judea, were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” ²Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas made no small uprising against them, they decided that Paul and Barnabas, and some from the opposing side, should go up to the Apostles and priests in Jerusalem concerning this question. ³Therefore, being led by the church, they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles. And they caused great joy among all the brothers. ⁴And when they had arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the Apostles and the elders, reporting what great things God had done with them. ⁵But some from the sect of the Pharisees, those who were believers, rose up saying, “It is necessary for them to be circumcised and to be instructed to keep the Law of Moses.” ⁶And the Apostles and elders came together to take care of this matter.