| Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. | But test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. |
| And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye 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. |
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| And when he is come, he will reprove 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. |
| The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. | Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. |
| Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall 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.” |
| Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with 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. |
| For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. | For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. |
| By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. | By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. |
| Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance. | Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. |
| Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. | This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. |
| Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. | Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. |
| As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that 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 tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. | As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. |
| And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified 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. |
| Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour 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 thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt 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. |
| Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. | Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. |
| Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? | Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? |
| Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. | Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. |
| As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. | As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. |
| A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. | In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. |
| My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. | My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed. |
| Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. | Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. |
| When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. | When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. |
| Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. | A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. |
