For it is not he who commendshimselfthat is approved,but he whomthe Lordcommends.
A manwill be praisedaccordingto his insight,But one of perversemindwill be despised.
Everyman'swayis rightin his own eyes,But the LORDweighsthe hearts.
Let anotherpraiseyou, and not your own mouth;A stranger,and not your own lips.
And He saidto them, "You are thosewho justifyyourselvesin the sightof men,but Godknowsyour hearts;for that which is highly esteemedamongmenis detestablein the sightof God.
for they lovedthe approvalof menratherthanthe approvalof God.
"Menof Israel,listento thesewords:Jesusthe Nazarene,a manattestedto you by Godwith miraclesand wondersand signswhichGodperformedthroughHim in your midst,justas you yourselvesknow--
For he who in this[way] servesChristis acceptableto Godand approvedby men.
GreetApelles,the approvedin Christ.Greetthosewhoare of the [household] of Aristobulus.
But he is a Jewwhois one inwardly;and circumcisionis that which is of the heart,by the Spirit,not by the letter;and his praiseis not from men,but from God.
For there mustalsobe factionsamongyou, sothat thosewho are approvedmay becomeevidentamongyou.
Thereforedo not go on passing judgmentbeforethe time,[but wait] untilthe Lordcomeswhowill bothbring to lightthe things hiddenin the darknessand disclosethe motivesof [men's] hearts;and theneach man'spraisewill cometo him from God.
For we are not boldto classorcompareourselveswith someof thosewho commendthemselves;but when they measurethemselvesby themselvesand comparethemselveswith themselves,they are withoutunderstanding.
Nowwe prayto Godthat you donowrong;not that we ourselvesmay appearapproved,but that you may dowhat is right,eventhoughwe may appearunapproved.
Are we beginningto commendourselvesagain?Ordo we need,as some,lettersof commendationto you orfrom you?
We are not againcommendingourselvesto you but [are] givingyou an occasionto be proudof us, sothat you will have[an answer] for thosewho take pridein appearanceand not in heart.
but in everythingcommendingourselvesas servantsof God,in muchendurance,in afflictions,in hardships,in distresses,
Be diligentto presentyourselfapprovedto Godas a workmanwho does not need to be ashamed,accurately handlingthe wordof truth.
sothat the proofof your faith,[being] more preciousthan goldwhich is perishable,even thoughtestedby fire,may be foundto resultin praiseand gloryand honorat the revelationof JesusChrist;
