Therefore,my beloved,fleefrom idolatry.
but that we writeto them that they abstainfrom things contaminatedby idolsand from fornicationand from what is strangledand from blood.
Nevertakeyour ownrevenge,beloved,but leaveroomfor the wrath[of God], for it is written,"VENGEANCEIS MINE,I WILL REPAY,"saysthe Lord.
I speakas to wise men;you judgewhatI say.
Whatdo I meanthen?That a thing sacrificed to idolsis anything,orthat an idolis anything?
Do not be idolaters,as someof them were; as it is written,"THE PEOPLESAT DOWNTO EATAND DRINK,AND STOODUP TO PLAY."
But actually,I wroteto you not to associatewith anyso-calledbrotherifhe is an immoral person,orcovetous,oran idolater,ora reviler,ora drunkard,ora swindler--not evento eatwith such a one.
Why?BecauseI do not loveyou? Godknows[I do]!
I will most gladlyspendand be expendedfor your souls.IfI loveyou more,am I to be lovedless?
All this timeyou have been thinkingthat we are defendingourselves to you. [Actually], it is in the sightof Godthat we have been speakingin Christ;and allfor your upbuilding,beloved.
"Therefore,COMEOUT FROM THEIR MIDSTAND BE SEPARATE,"saysthe Lord."AND DO NOT TOUCHWHAT IS UNCLEAN;And I will welcomeyou.
Therefore,havingthesepromises,beloved,let us cleanseourselvesfrom alldefilementof fleshand spirit,perfectingholinessin the fearof God.
Therefore,my belovedbrethrenwhom I long[to see], my joyand crown,in this waystand firmin the Lord,my beloved.
Paul,a prisonerof ChristJesus,and Timothyour brother,To Philemonour beloved[brother] and fellow worker,
But, beloved,we are convincedof better thingsconcerningyou, and things that accompanysalvation,thoughwe are speakingin this way.
Beloved,I urgeyou as aliensand strangersto abstainfrom fleshlylustswhichwage waragainstthe soul.
Little children,guardyourselvesfrom idols.
Allwho dwellon the earthwill worshiphim, [everyone] whosenamehas not been writtenfrom the foundationof the worldin the bookof lifeof the Lambwho has been slain.
But I havea few thingsagainstyou, becauseyou havetheresome who holdthe teachingof Balaam,whokept teachingBalakto puta stumbling blockbeforethe sonsof Israel,to eatthings sacrificed to idolsand to commit [acts of] immorality.
"But for the cowardlyand unbelievingand abominableand murderersand immoral personsand sorcerersand idolatersand allliars,their part[will be] in the lakethat burnswith fireand brimstone,whichis the seconddeath."
Outsideare the dogsand the sorcerersand the immoral personsand the murderersand the idolaters,and everyonewho lovesand practiceslying.
