Don’t take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God’s anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, “I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord.”Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.But, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. If you do this, you will make him feel guilty and ashamed.”Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good.
Get rid of your bitterness, hot tempers, anger, loud quarreling, cursing, and hatred.Be kind to each other, sympathetic, forgiving each other as God has forgiven you through Christ.
Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Whoever says, “I love God,” but hates another believer is a liar. People who don’t love other believers, whom they have seen, can’t love God, whom they have not seen.Christ has given us this commandment: The person who loves God must also love other believers.
Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn’t jealous. It doesn’t sing its own praises. It isn’t arrogant.It isn’t rude. It doesn’t think about itself. It isn’t irritable. It doesn’t keep track of wrongs.
Don’t pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you, or ridicule those who ridicule you. Instead, bless them, because you were called to inherit a blessing.
“If you forgive the failures of others, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failures.
Don’t pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you. Focus your thoughts on those things that are considered noble.As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone.
But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against things like that.
If your enemy is hungry, give him some food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him some water to drink.⌞In this way⌟ you will make him feel guilty and ashamed, and the Lord will reward you.
Remember this, my dear brothers and sisters: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and should not get angry easily.My brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways.An angry person doesn’t do what God approves of.
“But I tell everyone who is listening: Love your enemies. Be kind to those who hate you.Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who insult you.
Love never does anything that is harmful to a neighbor. Therefore, love fulfills Moses’ Teachings.
Everyone who hates another believer is a murderer, and you know that a murderer doesn’t have eternal life.
Whoever forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever keeps bringing up the issue separates the closest of friends.
Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else.
The one who loves us gives us an overwhelming victory in all these difficulties.I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love which Christ Jesus our Lord shows us. We can’t be separated by death or life, by angels or rulers, by anything in the present or anything in the future, by forcesor powers in the world above or in the world below, or by anything else in creation.
Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable.
“Always do for other people everything you want them to do for you. That is ⌞the meaning of⌟ Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets.
Dear friends, we must love each other because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born from God and knows God.The person who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, because God is love.
So watch yourselves! “If a believer sins, correct him. If he changes the way he thinks and acts, forgive him.The day when the Son of Man is revealed will be like that.“On that day those who are on the roof shouldn’t come down to get their belongings out of their houses. Those who are in the field shouldn’t turn back.Remember Lot’s wife!Those who try to save their lives will lose them, and those who lose their lives will save them.“I can guarantee that on that night if two people are in one bed, one will be taken and the other one will be left.Two women will be grinding grain together. One will be taken, and the other one will be left.” They asked him, “Where, Lord?” Jesus told them, “Vultures will gather wherever there is a dead body.”Even if he wrongs you seven times in one day and comes back to you seven times and says that he is sorry, forgive him.”
We’re not ashamed to have this confidence, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Better to get angry slowly than to be a hero. Better to be even-tempered than to capture a city.
However, the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure. Then it is peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good deeds, impartial, and sincere.A harvest that has God’s approval comes from the peace planted by peacemakers.
It isn’t happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth.Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.
A person with good sense is patient, and it is to his credit that he overlooks an offense.
“I’m giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you.Everyone will know that you are my disciples because of your love for each other.”
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked him, “Lord, how often do I have to forgive a believer who wrongs me? Seven times?”Jesus answered him, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy times seven.
I want men to offer prayers everywhere. They should raise their hands in prayer after putting aside their anger and any quarrels they have with anyone.
Brothers and sisters, if a person gets trapped by wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should help that person turn away from doing wrong. Do it in a gentle way. At the same time watch yourself so that you also are not tempted.
Imitate God, since you are the children he loves.Determine which things please the Lord.Have nothing to do with the useless works that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are.It is shameful to talk about what some people do in secret.Light exposes the true character of everythingbecause light makes everything easy to see. That’s why it says: “Wake up, sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” So then, be very careful how you live. Don’t live like foolish people but like wise people.Make the most of your opportunities because these are evil days.So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord wants.Don’t get drunk on wine, which leads to wild living. Instead, be filled with the Spiritby reciting psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs for your own good. Sing and make music to the Lord with your hearts.Live in love as Christ also loved us. He gave his life for us as an offering and sacrifice, a soothing aroma to God.
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” Meanwhile, the soldiers divided his clothes among themselves by throwing dice.
No mercy will be shown to those who show no mercy to others. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
If you forgive someone, so do I. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did in the presence of Christ for your benefit.I don’t want Satan to outwit us. After all, we are not ignorant about Satan’s scheming.
Trust the Lord, and do good things. Live in the land, and practice being faithful.The mouth of the righteous person reflects on wisdom. His tongue speaks what is fair.The teachings of his God are in his heart. His feet do not slip.The wicked person watches the righteous person and seeks to kill him.But the Lord will not abandon him to the wicked person’s power or condemn him when he is brought to trial.Wait with hope for the Lord, and follow his path, and he will honor you by giving you the land. When wicked people are cut off, you will see it.I have seen a wicked person ⌞acting like⌟ a tyrant, spreading himself out like a large cedar tree.But he moved on, and now there is no trace of him. I searched for him, but he could not be found.Notice the innocent person, and look at the decent person, because the peacemaker has a future.But rebels will be completely destroyed. The future of wicked people will be cut off.The victory for righteous people comes from the Lord. He is their fortress in times of trouble.Be happy with the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
“I’m leaving you peace. I’m giving you my peace. I don’t give you the kind of peace that the world gives. So don’t be troubled or cowardly.
Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth.
Try to live peacefully with everyone, and try to live holy lives, because if you don’t, you will not see the Lord.Make sure that everyone has kindness from God so that bitterness doesn’t take root and grow up to cause trouble that corrupts many of you.
Also, let Christ’s peace control you. God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body. Be thankful.
So get rid of every kind of evil, every kind of deception, hypocrisy, jealousy, and every kind of slander.
A person of great understanding is patient, but a short temper is the height of stupidity.
Be humble and gentle in every way. Be patient with each other and lovingly accept each other.But that is not what you learned from Christ’s teachings.You have certainly heard his message and have been taught his ways. The truth is in Jesus.You were taught to change the way you were living. The person you used to be will ruin you through desires that deceive you.However, you were taught to have a new attitude.You were also taught to become a new person created to be like God, with a life that truly has God’s approval and is holy.So then, get rid of lies. Speak the truth to each other, because we are all members of the same body.Be angry without sinning. Don’t go to bed angry.Don’t give the devil any opportunity ⌞to work⌟.Thieves must quit stealing and, instead, they must work hard. They should do something good with their hands so that they’ll have something to share with those in need.Don’t say anything that would hurt ⌞another person⌟. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you.Through the peace that ties you together, do your best to maintain the unity that the Spirit gives.
So these three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the best one of these is love.
May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in him. Then you will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord is merciful, compassionate, patient, and always ready to forgive.The Lord is good to everyone and has compassion for everything that he has made.
When a stubborn fool is irritated, he shows it immediately, but a sensible person hides the insult.
“People who want to live a full life and enjoy good days must keep their tongues from saying evil things, and their lips from speaking deceitful things.They must turn away from evil and do good. They must seek peace and pursue it.
So place yourselves under God’s authority. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you.
All of Moses’ Teachings are summarized in a single statement, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”But if you criticize and attack each other, be careful that you don’t destroy each other.
Don’t say anything that would hurt ⌞another person⌟. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you.
As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient.
There is lasting peace for those who love your teachings. Nothing can make those people stumble.
“Stop judging so that you will not be judged.Or if your child asks for a fish, would you give him a snake?Even though you’re evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. So how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him?“Always do for other people everything you want them to do for you. That is ⌞the meaning of⌟ Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets.“Enter through the narrow gate because the gate and road that lead to destruction are wide. Many enter through the wide gate.But the narrow gate and the road that lead to life are full of trouble. Only a few people find the narrow gate.“Beware of false prophets. They come to you disguised as sheep, but in their hearts they are vicious wolves.You will know them by what they produce. “People don’t pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles, do they?In the same way every good tree produces good fruit, but a rotten tree produces bad fruit.A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a rotten tree cannot produce good fruit.Any tree that fails to produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into a fire.Otherwise, you will be judged by the same standard you use to judge others. The standards you use for others will be applied to you.
No matter who you are, if you judge anyone, you have no excuse. When you judge another person, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.
Don’t act out of selfish ambition or be conceited. Instead, humbly think of others as being better than yourselves.He risked his life and almost died for the work of Christ in order to make up for the help you couldn’t give me.Don’t be concerned only about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others.
He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ ”
No fear exists where his love is. Rather, perfect love gets rid of fear, because fear involves punishment. The person who lives in fear doesn’t have perfect love.
Examine me, O God, and know my mind. Test me, and know my thoughts.See whether I am on an evil path. Then lead me on the everlasting path.
Pay your debts as they come due. However, one debt you can never finish paying is the debt of love that you owe each other. The one who loves another person has fulfilled Moses’ Teachings.
So then, get rid of lies. Speak the truth to each other, because we are all members of the same body.
Keep your tongue from saying evil things and your lips from speaking deceitful things.Turn away from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it!
Christ never verbally abused those who verbally abused him. When he suffered, he didn’t make any threats but left everything to the one who judges fairly.
Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God’s compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you.Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other.Don’t be lazy in showing your devotion. Use your energy to serve the Lord.Be happy in your confidence, be patient in trouble, and pray continually.Share what you have with God’s people who are in need. Be hospitable.Bless those who persecute you. Bless them, and don’t curse them.Be happy with those who are happy. Be sad with those who are sad.Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be arrogant, but be friendly to humble people. Don’t think that you are smarter than you really are.Don’t pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you. Focus your thoughts on those things that are considered noble.As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone.Don’t take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God’s anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, “I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord.”Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.
If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn’t find fault with them.
Whoever has knowledge controls his words, and a person who has understanding is even-tempered.Even a stubborn fool is thought to be wise if he keeps silent. He is considered intelligent if he keeps his lips sealed.
With that, brothers and sisters, I must say goodbye. Make sure that you improve. Accept my encouragement. Share the same attitude and live in peace. The God of love and peace will be with you.
Dear friends, don’t believe all people who say that they have the Spirit. Instead, test them. See whether the spirit they have is from God, because there are many false prophets in the world.
So then, be very careful how you live. Don’t live like foolish people but like wise people.Make the most of your opportunities because these are evil days.
Entrust your ways to the Lord. Trust him, and he will act ⌞on your behalf⌟.He will make your righteousness shine like a light, your just cause like the noonday sun.
When they persisted in asking him questions, he straightened up and said, “The person who is sinless should be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.
But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
God’s purpose was that the body should not be divided but rather that all of its parts should feel the same concern for each other.If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts share its suffering. If one part is praised, all the others share in its happiness.
We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things.We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming.
This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world.
“If a believer does something wrong, go, confront him when the two of you are alone. If he listens to you, you have won back that believer.
Above all, love each other warmly, because love covers many sins.Welcome each other as guests without complaining.
An offended brother is more ⌞resistant⌟ than a strong city, and disputes are like the locked gate of a castle tower.
Trust him at all times, you people. Pour out your hearts in his presence. God is our refuge. Selah
With perfect peace you will protect those whose minds cannot be changed, because they trust you.
We understand what love is when we realize that Christ gave his life for us. That means we must give our lives for other believers.
So those of us who have a strong ⌞faith⌟ must be patient with the weaknesses of those whose ⌞faith⌟ is not so strong. We must not think only of ourselves.
He comforts us whenever we suffer. That is why whenever other people suffer, we are able to comfort them by using the same comfort we have received from God.
Be kind to each other, sympathetic, forgiving each other as God has forgiven you through Christ.
Turn your burdens over to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will never let the righteous person stumble.
Don’t love money. Be happy with what you have because God has said, “I will never abandon you or leave you.”So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid. What can mortals do to me?”
So admit your sins to each other, and pray for each other so that you will be healed. Prayers offered by those who have God’s approval are effective.
Jesus answered him, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’This is the greatest and most important commandment.The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’
We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil, but joy belongs to those who advise peace.
May God, who gives you this endurance and encouragement, allow you to live in harmony with each other by following the example of Christ Jesus.Then, having the same goal, you will praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.
God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.
Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.
Pleasant words are ⌞like⌟ honey from a honeycomb— sweet to the spirit and healthy for the body.
So he is our peace. In his body he has made Jewish and non-Jewish people one by breaking down the wall of hostility that kept them apart.
He told the people, “Be careful to guard yourselves from every kind of greed. Life is not about having a lot of material possessions.”
Do everything without complaining or arguing.Then you will be blameless and innocent. You will be God’s children without any faults among people who are crooked and corrupt. You will shine like stars among them in the world
Even though I walk through the dark valley of death, because you are with me, I fear no harm. Your rod and your staff give me courage.
Everything you say should be kind and well thought out so that you know how to answer everyone.
But you, man of God, must avoid these things. Pursue what God approves of: a godly life, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.
God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we’ve done wrong.
Stay awake, and pray that you won’t be tempted. You want to do what’s right, but you’re weak.”
The corrupt nature’s attitude leads to death. But the spiritual nature’s attitude leads to life and peace.
Whenever we have the opportunity, we have to do what is good for everyone, especially for the family of believers.
I’ve told you this so that my peace will be with you. In the world you’ll have trouble. But cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
In the same way let your light shine in front of people. Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven.