- Make sure that no one pays back evil for evil. Rather, always aim to achieve what is best for each other and for everyone.
- A perverse man sows strife,
and a tale-bearer destroys close friendships. - Make every effort to present yourself before God as one who is worthy of his approval, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, but who imparts the word of truth without any alteration.
- For the Lord himself is the one who bestows wisdom;
from his mouth come forth knowledge and understanding. - Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your crops. - One who forgives a misdeed fosters friendship,
but he who divulges it separates good friends. - His divine power has bestowed on us everything that is necessary for life and for devotion through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue.
- Do not envy a violent man
or choose to emulate any of his ways.
For the perverse man is an abomination to the Lord
whose friendship is bestowed only upon the upright. - Father, allow those you have given me
to be with me where I am,
so that they may behold my glory,
which you have bestowed on me
because you loved me
before the foundation of the world. - I will instruct you
and guide you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you
and keep my eyes upon you. - Let us then make every effort to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall by following that example of refusing to believe.
- What god can compare with you,
the God who takes away guilt
and forgives the transgressions
of the remnant of your people?
You will not allow your anger to fester forever,
for your delight is in bestowing mercy. - See what love
the Father has bestowed on us,
enabling us to be called the children of God,
and that is what we are.
If the world does not recognize us,
that is because it did not know him. - God saved us and called us to a life of holiness, not because of our works but according to his own purpose and the grace that has been bestowed upon us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.
- Through the grace that God has bestowed upon me, I advise every one of you not to think of yourself too highly, but to regard yourself objectively, based on the measure of faith that God has granted.
- Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
that is above all other names,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth. - Therefore, take care to live as intelligent people, and do not be like those who are senseless. Make the most of the present time, for this is a wicked age.
- Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth:
it is better for you that I depart.
For if I do not go away,
the Advocate will not come to you,
whereas if I go,
I will send him to you. - How great is your goodness, O Lord,
which you have stored up for those who fear you
and which you bestow on those who take refuge in you,
in the presence of all the people. - For I am longing to see you so that I may bestow on you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— or, rather, so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
- But he answered me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” Hence, I will boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell within me.
- Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of your opportunity. Let your speech always be gracious and seasoned with wisdom, so that you will know how to respond properly to all.
- Exhort slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give them satisfaction in every respect. They are not to talk back to them, nor are they to steal from them. Rather, they should show themselves to be completely trustworthy so that in every way they may add luster to the doctrine of God our Savior.
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.