Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. | Stand firm, then, with the belt of truth fastened around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness clothing you, and with your feet shod in zeal to proclaim the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold in your hand the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. |
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. | An honorable name is more to be desired than great riches, and high esteem is preferable to silver and gold. |
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So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? | Does God give you the Spirit and work mighty deeds among you because you have kept the Law or because you believed what you have heard? |
A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! | A man is joyful when he utters apt answers, and even more satisfying is a word in season. |
How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. | How much more valuable a man is than a sheep! Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. |
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. | Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your gracious Spirit lead me along a level path. |
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” | But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for I bring you good news of great joy for all the people.” |
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. | For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for a life of good works that God had prepared for us to do. |
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. | Who among you is wise and understanding? Prove by your good life that your works are done with the humility that comes from wisdom. |
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. | We know that God makes all things work together for good for those who love him and who are called according to his purpose. |
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. | For one believes in the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. |
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. | I am confident of this: that the one who began a good work in you will bring it to completion on the day of Christ Jesus. |
Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins. | There is no one on earth who is so righteous that he does nothing but good and never sins. |
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. | You intended to do evil to me, but God decided to make it serve a good, to fulfill that which today has come true: to keep alive a numerous people. |
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. |
Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. | He gave himself for us in order to deliver us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people as his own who are eager to do good. |
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. | To those who seek after glory and honor and immortality by persevering in good works, he will grant eternal life. |
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. | Good and upright is the Lord; therefore, he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them the path to follow. |
But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. | But to those of you who are listening to me, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. |
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. | The Lord has told you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? Only this: to do what is right, to show mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. |
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. |
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. | 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. |
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! | If you, then, despite your evil nature, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! |
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. | And God is able to enrich you with an abundance of every grace, so that, with all of your needs provided for, you may be able to produce a surplus of good works. |
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; those who are guided by it will grow in understanding. His praise will last forever. |