Diligent labor always yields profit, but idle conversation only leads to poverty. | In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty. |
Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of your opportunity. Let your speech always be gracious and seasoned with wisdom, so that you will know how to respond properly to all. | Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. |
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But our citizenship is in heaven, and from there we await our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. | For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. |
Who among you is wise and understanding? Prove by your good life that your works are done with the humility that comes from wisdom. | Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. |
He who called you is holy. Therefore, be holy yourselves in all your conduct. For Scripture says, “Be holy, for I am holy.” | But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written: “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” |
Let no one regard you with contempt because of your youth, but serve as an example to the believers in your speech and conduct, in your love, your faith, and your purity. | Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. |
Do not succumb to the love of money, but be content with what you have, for God has said, “I will never forsake you or abandon you.” | Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,” |
For you are aware that you were ransomed from your futile way of life inherited from your ancestors not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. | Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. |