Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
but the prudent hold their tongues. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. The rich rule over the poor,
and the borrower is slave to the lender. Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid? He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,
but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him. For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever! My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty—
he is the King of glory. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.Next verse!With image