Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. | By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. |
Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. | Bear fruit worthy of repentance. |
|
If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. | Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. |
God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. | This God—his way is perfect; the promise of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all who take refuge in him. |
God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. | This God—his way is perfect; the promise of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all who take refuge in him. |
And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. | And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment. |
Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. | The fear of others lays a snare, but one who trusts in the Lord is secure. |
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. | Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. |
So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. | Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble. For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you. |
Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. | Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. |
When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. | My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. |
But test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil. | But test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. |
Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! | Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. |
I will show how holy my great name is—the name on which you brought shame among the nations. And when I reveal my holiness through you before their very eyes, says the Sovereign Lord, then the nations will know that I am the Lord. | I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when through you I display my holiness before their eyes. |
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” | Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. |
But you may wonder, ‘How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the Lord?’ If the prophet speaks in the Lord’s name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the Lord did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without my authority and need not be feared. | You may say to yourself, “How can we recognize a word that the Lord has not spoken?” If a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord but the thing does not take place or prove true, it is a word that the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; do not be frightened by it. |
Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? | Or can one walk on hot coals without scorching the feet? |
Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! | In all toil there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. |
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. | Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens the wits of another. |
Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. | Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. |
Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. | When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with the humble. |
Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. | A person's pride will bring humiliation, but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. |
Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. | By insolence the heedless make strife, but wisdom is with those who take advice. |
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. | The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. |
God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law. | When one will not listen to the law, even one's prayers are an abomination. |