Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head.Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
You must put away every kind of bitterness, anger, wrath, quarreling, and evil, slanderous talk.Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.
bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.
If anyone says “I love God” and yet hates his fellow Christian, he is a liar, because the one who does not love his fellow Christian whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.And the commandment we have from him is this: that the one who loves God should love his fellow Christian too.
Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up.It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful.
Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.
“For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people.If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials,For human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.
“But I say to 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.
Everyone who hates his fellow Christian is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.
Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins.
The one who forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever repeats a matter separates close friends.
See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.
No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us!For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers,nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.
In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets.
Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been fathered by God and knows God.The person who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Watch yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him.It will be the same on the day the Son of Man is revealed.On that day, anyone who is on the roof, with his goods in the house, must not come down to take them away, and likewise the person in the field must not turn back.Remember Lot’s wife!Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.I tell you, in that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken and the other left.There will be two women grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”Then the disciples said to him, “Where, Lord?” He replied to them, “Where the dead body is, there the vultures will gather.”Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior, and one who controls his temper is better than one who captures a city.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical.And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.
It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth.It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
A person’s wisdom makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
“I give you a new commandment – to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples – if you have love for one another.”
Then Peter came to him and said, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother who sins against me? As many as seven times?”Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, I tell you, but seventy-seven times!
A quick-tempered person stirs up dissension, but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel.
So I want the men to pray in every place, lifting up holy hands without anger or dispute.
Certainly O Lord, you are kind and forgiving, and show great faithfulness to all who cry out to you.
Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved childrentrying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention.But all things being exposed by the light are made evident.For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says: “Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!”Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise,taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil.For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is.And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit,speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord,and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.
[But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”] Then they threw dice to divide his clothes.
For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment.
If you forgive anyone for anything, I also forgive him – for indeed what I have forgiven (if I have forgiven anything) I did so for you in the presence of Christ,so that we may not be exploited by Satan (for we are not ignorant of his schemes).
Trust in the Lord and do what is right! Settle in the land and maintain your integrity!The godly speak wise words and promote justice.The law of their God controls their thinking; their feet do not slip.Evil men set an ambush for the godly and try to kill them.But the Lord does not surrender the godly, or allow them to be condemned in a court of law.Rely on the Lord! Obey his commands! Then he will permit you to possess the land; you will see the demise of evil men.I have seen ruthless evil men growing in influence, like a green tree grows in its native soil.But then one passes by, and suddenly they have disappeared! I looked for them, but they could not be found.Take note of the one who has integrity! Observe the godly! For the one who promotes peace has a future.Sinful rebels are totally destroyed; evil men have no future.But the Lord delivers the godly; he protects them in times of trouble.Then you will take delight in the Lord, and he will answer your prayers.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.
Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord.See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up and causing trouble, and through him many become defiled.
Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful.
But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The one who is slow to anger has great understanding, but the one who has a quick temper exalts folly.
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,But you did not learn about Christ like this,if indeed you heard about him and were taught in him, just as the truth is in Jesus.You were taught with reference to your former way of life to lay aside the old man who is being corrupted in accordance with deceitful desires,to be renewed in the spirit of your mind,and to put on the new man who has been created in God’s image – in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth.Therefore, having laid aside falsehood, each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on the cause of your anger.Do not give the devil an opportunity.The one who steals must steal no longer; rather he must labor, doing good with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with the one who has need.You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear.making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord is merciful and compassionate; he is patient and demonstrates great loyal love.The Lord is good to all, and has compassion on all he has made.
For the one who wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from uttering deceit.And he must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”However, if you continually bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.
You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged.Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets.“Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it.“Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves.You will recognize them by their fruit. Grapes are not gathered from thorns or figs from thistles, are they?In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.A good tree is not able to bear bad fruit, nor a bad tree to bear good fruit.Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive.
For this is the gospel message that you have heard from the beginning: that we should love one another,
Therefore you are without excuse, whoever you are, when you judge someone else. For on whatever grounds you judge another, you condemn yourself, because you who judge practice the same things.
Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself.since it was because of the work of Christ that he almost died. He risked his life so that he could make up for your inability to serve me.Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.
The expert 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 yourself.”
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love.
Examine me, and probe my thoughts! Test me, and know my concerns!See if there is any idolatrous tendency in me, and lead me in the reliable ancient path!
Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
Therefore, having laid aside falsehood, each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
Then make sure you don’t speak evil words or use deceptive speech!Turn away from evil and do what is right! Strive for peace and promote it!
When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly.
Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice – alive, holy, and pleasing to God – which is your reasonable service.Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another.Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord.Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer.Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality.Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people.If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.
Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.
But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.
The truly wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is discerning.Even a fool who remains silent is considered wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning.
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice, set things right, be encouraged, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise,taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Commit your future to the Lord! Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf.He will vindicate you in broad daylight, and publicly defend your just cause.
When they persisted in asking him, he stood up straight and replied, “Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
so that there may be no division in the body, but the members may have mutual concern for one another.If one member suffers, everyone suffers with it. If a member is honored, all rejoice with it.
And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works,not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault when the two of you are alone. If he listens to you, you have regained your brother.
Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins.Show hospitality to one another without complaining.
A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel.
Trust in him at all times, you people! Pour out your hearts before him! God is our shelter! (Selah)
We have come to know love by this: that Jesus laid down his life for us; thus we ought to lay down our lives for our fellow Christians.
But we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not just please ourselves.
who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.
Throw your burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the godly to be upended.
Your conduct must be free from the love of money and you must be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.”So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.
Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment.The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.
Now may the God of endurance and comfort give you unity with one another in accordance with Christ Jesus,so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
For he is our peace, the one who made both groups into one and who destroyed the middle wall of partition, the hostility,
Then he said to them, “Watch out and guard yourself from all types of greed, because one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Do everything without grumbling or arguing,so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world
Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me.
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone.
But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that. Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness.
But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.
Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.
I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage – I have conquered the world.”
In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.