| And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. | Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. |
| And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. | When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment. |
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| The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. | Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. |
| As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. | As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. |
| As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. | As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. |
| Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. | 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. |
| By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. | By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. |
| Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance. | Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. |
| By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. | This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. |
| Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. | But test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. |
| Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. | Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. |
| “And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.” | I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes. |
| “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.” | “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” |
| Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. | Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. |
| And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him. | You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?” If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed. |
| Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins. | Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. |
| Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared? | Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? |
| A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. | In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. |
| A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back. | Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. |
| A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. | A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. |
| When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. | When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. |
| Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. | A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. |
| For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord. | For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. |
| A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame. | Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. |
| Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil. | Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. |
