Dear children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. | Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. |
The upright are guarded by their integrity; the treacherous are destroyed by their own duplicity. | The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. |
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To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. |
If we claim that we have fellowship with him while we continue to live in darkness, we are lying and do not live in the truth. | If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. |
Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God. | Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. |
Pay to each person what is rightfully his—taxes to the one to whom taxes are due, tolls to the one to whom tolls are due, respect to the one to whom respect is due, honor to the one to whom honor is due. | Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. |
Make every effort to present yourself before God as one who is worthy of his approval, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, but who imparts the word of truth without any alteration. | Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. |
A perverse man sows strife, and a tale-bearer destroys close friendships. | A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. |
It is better to have little and be righteous than to acquire great riches with injustice. | Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. |
Wait quietly for the Lord and be patient until he comes. Do not fret over the man who prospers because of his evil schemes. | Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. |
However, the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, and considerate, full of mercy and good fruits, without any trace of partiality or hypocrisy. | But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. |
Do not withhold kindness from anyone to whom it is due when it is in your power to grant it. | Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. |
The Lord abhors lying lips, but he delights in those who are truthful. | The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. |
Treasures obtained by wicked means profit nothing, but a righteous life brings delivery from death. | Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death. |
Above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth, or use any oaths at all. Let your “Yes” mean “Yes” and your “No” mean “No.” Otherwise you may be condemned. | Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. |
The future bodes well for him who is generous in helping those in need and who conducts his affairs with justice. | Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. |
No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a pot or places it under a bed. Rather he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. | No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. |
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze on what lies before you. | Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. |
Then you will understand equity and justice as well as righteousness—every good path. | Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. |
There is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing secret that will not become known. | There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. |
That is why you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, and they devote themselves to this service. | This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. |
Then Peter asked, “Ananias, why has Satan so gained control of your heart that you lied to the Holy Spirit and retained part of the sale price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not belong to you? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds yours? What caused you to contrive this scheme? You have lied not to men but to God.” | Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” |
Now let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful in your judgments, for the Lord, our God, will not tolerate the perversion of justice, or partiality, or the taking of bribes. | Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery. |