He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends. | Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. |
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. | That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. |
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A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. | A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. |
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven. | For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. |
He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. | Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. |
I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, And have now made known to me what we asked of You, For You have made known to us the king’s demand. | I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for you have given me wisdom and strength. You have told me what we asked of you and revealed to us what the king demanded. |
Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. | Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. |
And it shall be, when he is guilty in any of these matters, that he shall confess that he has sinned in that thing. | When you become aware of your guilt in any of these ways, you must confess your sin. |
Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. | If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. |
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” | “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” |
Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. | Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. |
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference. | But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. |
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. | 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. |
His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ | The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ |
So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. | So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. |