But test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream! Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
extol him who rides on the clouds;
rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling. But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever. 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. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Whoever is patient has great understanding,
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws. As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge. Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.Next verse!With image