Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. | Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. |
That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. | The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. |
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For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. | For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. |
A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. | Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. |
Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. | Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. |
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. | To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for 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 matter. |
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. | But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction. |
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. | The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. |
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. | If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. |
“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.” | Come now, 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 become like wool. |
When you become aware of your guilt in any of these ways, you must confess your sin. | When he realizes his guilt in any of these and confesses the sin he has committed, he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation for the sin that he has committed. |
Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. | As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. |
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 counts for anything, but only faith working through love. |
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!’ | His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ |
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. | Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. |