My dear friends, don't seek revenge, but leave it to God to execute judgment—as Scripture points out, “‘It's for me to dispense justice, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”Don't follow the ways of this world; instead be transformed by the spiritual renewal of your mind so you can demonstrate what God's will really is—good, pleasing, and perfect.If those who hate you are hungry, give them food; if they're thirsty, give them a drink; for by doing so you pile fiery coals on their heads.Don't be defeated by evil—conquer evil with good.
Get rid of every kind of bitterness, rage, anger, verbal abuse, and insults, along with all forms of evil.Be kind and compassionate to each other, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
Be patient with one another, forgive others among you if you have grievances against one another. Just as the Lord forgave you, you should do the same.
Anyone who says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, is a liar. Anyone who doesn't love a brother whom they can see, can't love God whom they can't see.This is the command he gave to us: those who love God love their brothers and sisters too.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous. Love is not boastful. Love is not proud.Love does not act improperly, or insist on having its own way. Love is not argumentative and doesn't keep a record of wrongs.
Don't pay back evil for evil, or retaliate when you're abused, instead you should give a blessing—because that's what you were called to do, so you could gain a blessing yourself.
For if you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.But if you don't forgive those who sin against you, then your heavenly Father won't forgive your sins.
Don't pay back anyone evil for evil. Make sure you show everybody that what you're doing is good,and as far as it's up to you, live at peace with everyone.
But the Spirit produces fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trust,gentleness, self-control—and there's no law against these kinds of things!
If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if he's thirsty, give him a drink of water.This will make him ashamed as if he had burning coals piled on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
Remember this, my dear friends: everyone should be quick to listen but slow to speak, and slow to get angry,My friends, choose to stay happy even when all kinds of troubles come your way,because human anger doesn't reflect the good character of God.
But I say to those of you who are listening: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you.Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you.
All those who hate their Christian brothers and sisters are murderers, and you know that no murderers have eternal life within them!
Most of all, you should love one another very deeply, for love covers many of the wrong things people do.
If you forgive a wrong you encourage friendship, but if you keep talking about it you'll lose your friend.
Make sure none of you pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to one another, and to everyone.
No—in all that happens to us we're more than conquerors through him who loved us.I'm absolutely convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor devils, neither the present nor the future, nor powers,neither height nor depth, in fact nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lastly, whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, beautiful, commendable, whatever is truly good and deserves to be praised, think about these kinds of things.
Dear friends, let's go on loving one another, for love comes from God. All those who love are born of God and know God.Those who don't love don't know God, for God is love.
So take care what you do. If your brother sins, warn him; and if he repents, forgive him.The day when the Son of man appears will be just like that.If you're up on the roof that day don't go down and get your things; and if you're out in the fields don't go back home either.Remember Lot's wife!If you try to hold on to your life you'll lose it; but if you lose your life you'll save it.I tell you, at that time two will be in bed at night; one will be taken and the other left.Two women will be grinding grain, one will be taken; and the other left.”“Where, Lord?” they asked. “Where the carcass is, that's where the vultures gather,” Jesus replied.Even if he sins against you seven times a day, and seven times comes back and tells you, ‘I'm really sorry,’ forgive him.”
Since we have this hope we're never disappointed, for God's love has been poured into us through the Holy Spirit he's given us.
Better to be slow to anger than to be powerful, better to have self-control than to conquer a town.
However, wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure, and it also brings peace. It is kind and open to reason. It is full of mercy and produces good things. It is genuine and not hypocritical.Those who sow peace will harvest the peace of what is truly good and right.
Love takes no delight in evil but celebrates the truth.Love never gives up, keeps on trusting, stays confident, and remains patient whatever happens.
If you have good sense you'll be slow to get angry; you gain respect by forgiving wrongs.
I am giving you a new command: Love one another. Love one another in the same way I have loved you.If you love one another you will prove to everyone that you are my disciples.”
Peter came to Jesus and asked him, “Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother for sinning against me? Seven times?”“No, not seven times. I would say seventy times seven!” Jesus told him.
What I really want is for men everywhere to pray sincerely to God. No anger or arguments!
For you, Lord, are good; you are forgiving and full of trustworthy love for all who come to you.
My friends, if someone is led astray by sin, you who are spiritual should bring them back with a gentle spirit. Watch out that you don't get tempted too.
So then, imitate God since you're his much-loved children.demonstrating what the Lord really appreciates.Don't have anything to do with the pointless things that darkness produces—instead expose them.It's shameful even to speak about the things such people do secretly,but when anything is exposed by the light then it's revealed as it is. Light makes everything visible.That's why it's said, “Wake up, those of you who are sleeping, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”So be careful how you live your life, not foolishly, but wisely,making the best use of opportunities because the days are evil.So don't be ignorant—find out what the Lord's will is.Don't get drunk on wine which will wreck your life, but be filled with the Spirit.Share together with one another, using psalms and hymns and sacred songs, singing and making music to the Lord to express what you feel.Live in love, just as Christ loved you. He gave himself for us, a gift and sacrificial offering to God like a sweet-smelling perfume.
Jesus said, “Father, please forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing.” They divided up his clothes by throwing dice for them.
Anyone who doesn't show mercy will be judged without mercy. Yet mercy wins out over judgment!
Anyone you forgive, I forgive too. What I have forgiven, whatever it may be, I have forgiven before Christ for your benefit.In this way Satan will not be able to take us in, because we know the tricks he thinks up.
Trust in the Lord, and do good. Live in the land and feed on faithfulness.People who do right give good advice, explaining what is fair.God's law lives in their minds, so they will not slip from his way.The wicked lie in wait for those who do good, intending to kill them.But the Lord will not let them fall into the hands of the wicked, and he will not let those who do good be condemned when they are put on trial.Trust in the Lord, and stay on his path. He will lift you up and give you the land to own. You will see when the wicked are destroyed.I have watched the wicked acting brutally, spreading like a large tree in its native land.But when I passed that way the next time, they were gone. I searched for them but couldn't find them.Observe the innocent, look at those who do right! Those who love peace have a future!But those who are rebellious will be altogether destroyed; the wicked have no future.The Lord saves those who live right; he is their protection in times of trouble.Find your happiness in the Lord, and he will give you what you want the most.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I'm giving you. The peace I give you is nothing like what the world gives. Don't be anxious, and don't be afraid.
Put your trust totally in the Lord—don't rely on what you think you know!Remember him in everything you do, and he'll show you the right way.
Do your best to live in peace with everybody, and look for holiness—if you don't have this you won't see the Lord.Make sure that none of you lack God's grace, in case some cause of bitterness arises to give trouble and end up corrupting many of you.
Be completely dedicated to each other in your love as family; value others more than yourselves.
May the peace of Christ direct your thinking, because you were called to this by God who makes you one, and thank God for it!
So give up all the evil things that you do: all your dishonesty, hypocrisy, and jealousy, all the ways you speak badly about others.
But God demonstrates his love for us in that Christ died for us while we were still sinners.
If you're slow to get angry, you're very wise; but if you have a short fuse you glorify stupidity.
Don't think proudly of yourselves; be gentle and patient, showing tolerance to each other in love.But that's not what you learned about Christ!Didn't you hear about him? Weren't you taught concerning him? Didn't you learn the truth as it is in Jesus?So get rid of your former lifestyle, that old nature that ruins you through deceptive desires!Let yourselves be remade spiritually and mentally,and put on your new nature that God created so you will be like him, right and holy in the truth.So reject lies, and tell the truth to each other—for we belong to each other.Don't sin by getting angry; don't let evening come and find you still mad—and don't give the devil any opportunity.Thieves, stop your stealing, and do honest, productive work with your hands, so you'll have something to give to those who need it.Don't use bad language. Speak words that will encourage people as necessary, so that those who listen will be helped.Make every effort to remain one in the Spirit through the peace that binds you together.
May the God of hope completely fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you will overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit!
The Lord is gracious and merciful, not easily angered, and full of trustworthy love.The Lord is good to everyone, and he shows mercy to all his created beings.
Remember: “Those who want to love life, and to see good days, must refrain from speaking evil, and not tell lies.Turn away from evil and do good; search for peace—run after it!
So place yourself under God's direction. Confront the devil, and he will run away from you.
For the whole law is summed up in this one command, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”But if you attack and tear into one another, watch out that you don't completely destroy yourselves!
Don't use bad language. Speak words that will encourage people as necessary, so that those who listen will be helped.
Since you are God's special people, holy and dearly loved, adopt a sympathetic nature that is kind, humble, gentle, and patient.
If you're patient you can persuade your superior, and soft words can break down opposition.
“Don't judge others, so that you won't be judged.Or if he asked for fish, would you give him a snake?So if even you who are evil know to give good things to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.Treat others the way you want them to treat you. This sums up the law and the prophets.Enter by the narrow entrance. For the entrance is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many travel that way.But the entrance is narrow, and the way is difficult that leads to life, and only a few find it.Watch out for false prophets who come wearing sheep's clothing, but who on the inside are vicious wolves.You can recognize them by their fruits. Do people harvest grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?So every good tree produces good fruit, while a bad tree produces bad fruit.A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit.Every tree that doesn't produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.For whatever standard you use to judge others will be used to judge you, and whatever measurement you use to measure others will be used to measure you.
So if you judge others you don't have any excuse, whoever you are! For in whatever way you condemn others, you're judging yourself, because you're doing the same things.
Don't do anything from a spirit of selfishness or pride, but humbly think of others better than you do of yourself.because in working for Christ he nearly died, putting his life on the line to make up for the help you weren't in a position to give me.None of you should be preoccupied about your own things—instead concern yourself with the interests of others too.
“You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, and your whole spirit, and your whole strength, and your whole mind; and love your neighbor as yourself,” the man replied.
Where there is love there can be no fear. God loves us completely, and this love drives all our fears away. If we do fear, it's because we fear being punished, and this shows that we have not been fully remade by the completeness of God's love.
Examine me carefully, God, so you can be sure of my true feelings. Check me out so you can know what I really think.Please show me if I'm following any kind of idol, and lead me along the path of eternal life.
Don't owe anybody anything, except love for one another—for those who love their neighbor have kept the law.
Then don't let your tongue speak evil, or your lips tell lies.Reject what is evil, do what is good. Look for peace, and work to make it a reality.
and when he was badly treated, he didn't retaliate. When he suffered, he didn't threaten to take revenge. He simply placed himself in the hands of the one who always judges rightly.
So I encourage you, my brothers and sisters, because of God's compassion for you, to dedicate your bodies as a living offering that is holy and pleasing to God. This is the logical way to worship.Be completely dedicated to each other in your love as family; value others more than yourselves.Don't be unwilling to work hard; serve the Lord with an enthusiastic spirit.Remain cheerful in the hope you have, put up with the troubles that come, keep on praying.Share in providing for the needs of God's people, and welcome strangers with hospitality.Bless those who persecute you—bless them, and don't curse them.Be happy with those who are happy; cry with those who are crying.Think about one another. Don't consider yourself more important than others; live humbly. Don't be conceited.Don't pay back anyone evil for evil. Make sure you show everybody that what you're doing is good,and as far as it's up to you, live at peace with everyone.My dear friends, don't seek revenge, but leave it to God to execute judgment—as Scripture points out, “‘It's for me to dispense justice, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”Don't follow the ways of this world; instead be transformed by the spiritual renewal of your mind so you can demonstrate what God's will really is—good, pleasing, and perfect.
If you're wise, you'll be careful what you say; and if you're sensible, you'll keep your temper.Even stupid people who keep quiet are considered wise; if they don't say anything they appear intelligent.
Finally, brothers and sisters, I say goodbye. Continue to improve spiritually. Encourage one another. Be in agreement. Live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Dear friends, don't trust every spirit, but put the spirits to the test to find out whether they're from God, for there are many false prophets out there in the world.
So be careful how you live your life, not foolishly, but wisely,making the best use of opportunities because the days are evil.
Entrust all that you do to the Lord. Place your confidence in him and he will help you.He will make your vindication shine like a light, the rightness of your cause like the noonday sun.
They kept on demanding an answer, so he stood up and told them, “Whichever one of you has never sinned may throw the first stone at her.”
Don't worry about anything, but take everything to God in prayer, explaining your requests to him and thanking him for all he does.Then the peace that comes from God, which is better than we can ever imagine, will protect your thoughts and attitudes in Christ Jesus.
But the Spirit produces fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trust,
This is so there wouldn't be any conflict within the body—the different parts should care equally for each other.So when one part is suffering, all the other parts of the body suffer with it, and when one part is treated well, then all the other parts of the body are happy too!
Let's think about how we can motivate one another to love and to do what is good.We should not give up meeting together, as some have done. In fact we should be encouraging one another, especially as you see the End approaching.
We're not fighting against human forces, but against supernatural rulers and powers, the dark lords of this world, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
If a brother sins against you, go and point out the wrong to him, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you've won your brother over.
Remain cheerful in the hope you have, put up with the troubles that come, keep on praying.
Most of all, you should love one another very deeply, for love covers many of the wrong things people do.Show hospitality to one another, and don't complain.
A brother you've offended is harder to win back than a fortified town. Arguments keep people apart like bars on the doors of a fortress.
My people, always trust in him. Pour out all your thoughts to him, for he is the one who looks after us. Selah.
You will keep in complete peace those who keep their minds focused on you, because they trust in you.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters.
Those of us who are spiritually strong ought to support those who are spiritually weak. We shouldn't just please ourselves.
He comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those who are also in trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Be kind and compassionate to each other, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
Throw your burdens onto the Lord and he will take care of you. He will never allow those who live right to fall.
Don't love money; be content with what you have. God himself has said, “I'll never let you down; I'll never give up on you.”That's why we can confidently say, “The Lord is the one who helps me, so I won't be afraid. What can anyone do to me?”
Admit the wrongs you've done to each other, and pray for one another so that you'll be healed. Earnest prayer from those who live right is very effective.
Jesus told them, “‘Love the Lord your God in all you think, in all you feel, and in all you do.’This is the greatest commandment, the first commandment.The second is just like it, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
We urge you, brothers and sisters, to warn those who are lazy, encourage those who are anxious, help those who are weak, and be patient with everyone.
May the God who gives patience and encouragement help you to be in full agreement among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,so that you can with one mind and with one voice together glorify God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Seek his kingdom first, and his way of living right, and everything will be given to you.
For God loved the world, and this is how: he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who trusts in him shouldn't die, but have eternal life.
Love never gives up, keeps on trusting, stays confident, and remains patient whatever happens.
Christ is our peace. Through his body he made the two into one, and broke down the separating wall of hostility that divided us,
“Watch out, and beware of all greedy thoughts and actions, for a person's life isn't summed up by all the things they own.”
Do everything without complaining or arguingso that you'll be sincere, innocent of any wrong. Be God's blameless children living in the middle of a dishonest and corrupt people. Shine among them as lights to the world,
Even when I walk through the valley dark as death, I'm not afraid of any evil, because you are right there with me; your rod and your staff protect me.
Always be gracious when you speak. Make sure it's in good taste, and think about how best to answer everyone.
But you as a man of God should run away from such things. You should seek to do what is right, practice true religion, and trust in God. Aim to love, to be patient, and gentle.
But if we confess our sins, he is trustworthy and right so that he can forgive us our sins and make us clean from all that is not right in us.
Stay awake and pray, so that you don't fall into temptation. Yes, the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
The sinful human mind results in death, but having the mind led by the Spirit results in life and peace.
So while we have time, let's do good to everyone—especially to those who belong to the family of faith.
I've told you all this so that you may have peace because you are one with me. You will suffer in this world, but be brave—I have defeated the world!”
In the same way you should let your light shine before everyone so they can see the good things you do and praise your heavenly Father.