12 So, my good friends, continue to work towards the goal of salvation with complete reverence and respect for God, following what you were told—not just when I was with you, but even more so now I’m away from you. 13 For it’s God who is working within you, creating the will and the ability to do what he wants you to do. 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing 15 so that you’ll be sincere, innocent of any wrong. Be God’s blameless children living in the middle of a dishonest and corrupt people.* Shine among them as lights to the world, 16 holding out to them the word of life. That way I’ll have something to be proud of when Christ returns, proving I didn’t run around and work for nothing!