7 God blesses the soil which drinks in the rain that often falls on it and which grows plants that are useful to those for whom it is cultivated.
8 But if it grows thorns and weeds, it is worth nothing; it is in danger of being cursed by God and will be destroyed by fire.
9 But even if we speak like this, dear friends, we feel sure about you. We know that you have the better blessings that belong to your salvation.
10 God is not unfair. He will not forget the work you did or the love you showed for him in the help you gave and are still giving to other Christians.
11 Our great desire is that each of you keep up your eagerness to the end, so that the things you hope for will come true.
12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to be like those who believe and are patient, and so receive what God has promised.
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, he made a vow to do what he had promised. Since there was no one greater than himself, he used his own name when he made his vow.