For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. | For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. |
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. | Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. |
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But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. | But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. |
He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” | But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” |
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. | He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? |
What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? | What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? |
But test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil. | Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. |
So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. | So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. |
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. | Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. |
This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” | For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” |
Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. | Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith. |
The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words. | The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse. |
Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. | Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. |
Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? | And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? |
He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light. | He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. |
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. | Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. |
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. | Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. |
The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. | To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. |
But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. | But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God. |
Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.” | Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” |
For we live by believing and not by seeing. | For we walk by faith, not by sight. |
But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. | But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” |
But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die. | But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. |
The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. | Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way. The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way. |
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. | No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. |