Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delight in airing their own opinions. So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long. Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life. For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God? These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. All my longings lie open before you, Lord;
my sighing is not hidden from you. Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. For he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.