Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. | Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor too. |
God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” | For God will repay everyone in accordance with what his deeds deserve. |
|
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. | But as for you, man of God, you must shun all this. Rather, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, fortitude, and gentleness. |
For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish. | For the Lord loves the just, and he will not forsake his faithful ones. Those who follow evil paths will be destroyed, and the children of the wicked will be cut off. |
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. | Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. A person will reap only what he sows. |
A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. | A man’s ways may seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. |
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. | Rather, seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. |
Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. | He will never be swayed; the righteous man will be remembered forever. |
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry. | The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. |
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. |
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” | Yet even if you should suffer for doing what is right, you are thereby blessed. Have no fear of others, and refuse to be intimidated by them. |
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. | Let us never grow weary in doing what is right, for if we do not give up, we will reap our harvest in due time. |
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. | Make sure that no one pays back evil for evil. Rather, always aim to achieve what is best for each other and for everyone. |
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. | He made him who did not know sin to be sin for our sake, so that through him we might become the righteousness of God. |
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. | Finally, brethren, let your minds be filled with whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, whatever is excellent, whatever is worthy of praise. |
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. | And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who are peacemakers. |
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. | For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to the entire human race. It teaches us to reject godless ways and worldly desires, and in the present age to lead lives that are temperate, just, and godly. |
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. | Commit your way to the Lord; place your trust in him, and he will act. He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, and the justice of your cause, like the noonday. |
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers. | Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the company of scoffers. |
Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death. | Treasures obtained by wicked means profit nothing, but a righteous life brings delivery from death. |
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. | Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will have their fill. |
A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. | The labors of the wicked man produce little profit, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. |
And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. | And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do as much. |
It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows. | It is rash to pledge a sacred gift, or to make a vow and then have second thoughts. |
I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. | I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your precepts. |