My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. | My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth. |
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. | The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them. |
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To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice. |
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. | If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie and don’t tell the truth. |
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. | Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. |
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. | Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. |
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. | Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. |
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. | A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends. |
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. | Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice. |
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. | Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen. |
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. | But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. |
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. | Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. |
Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight. | Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight. |
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. | Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death. |
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. | But above all things, my brothers, don’t swear— not by heaven, or by the earth, or by any other oath; but let your “yes” be “yes”, and your “no”, “no”, so that you don’t fall into hypocrisy. |
A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. | It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends. He will maintain his cause in judgment. |
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. | No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light. |
Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. | Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. |
Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. | Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path. |
For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. | But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. |
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. | For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, continually doing this very thing. |
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. | But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land? While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.” |
Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. | Now therefore let the fear of Yahweh be on you. Take heed and do it; for there is no iniquity with Yahweh our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes. |