For he will repay according to each one's deeds. | He will judge everyone according to what they have done. |
And those who are in the flesh cannot please God. | That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. |
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Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. | Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. |
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. | Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. |
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. | Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. |
Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. | Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. |
For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” | For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” |
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. | For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. |
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. | Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. |
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. |
If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. | Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. |
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good. | Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. |
The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” | As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” |
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. | But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently. |
Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. | We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. |
So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. | So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. |
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. | No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. |
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. | When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. |
It is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God. | For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. |
Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. | Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. |
Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. | Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. |
What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? | What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? |
Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. | Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. |
Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. | Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. |
What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! | Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! |