Nowwe prayto Godthat you donowrong;not that we ourselvesmay appearapproved,but that you may dowhat is right,eventhoughwe may appearunapproved.
Now Jabezcalledon the Godof Israel,saying,"Ohthat You would blessme indeedand enlargemy border,and that Your handmight be with me, and that You would keep[me] from harmthat [it] may not painme!" And Godgrantedhim whathe requested.
And do not leadus into temptation,but deliverus from evil.[For Yoursis the kingdomand the powerand the gloryforever.Amen].'
"I do not askYou to takethem out of the world,but to keepthem from the evil[one].
And justas they did not see fitto acknowledgeGodany longer, Godgave them overto a depravedmind,to dothosethings which are not proper,
Neverpay backevilfor evilto anyone.Respectwhat is rightin the sightof allmen.
Let us behaveproperlyas in the day,not in carousingand drunkenness,not in sexual promiscuityand sensuality,not in strifeand jealousy.
GreetApelles,the approvedin Christ.Greetthosewhoare of the [household] of Aristobulus.
For there mustalsobe factionsamongyou, sothat thosewho are approvedmay becomeevidentamongyou.
For they say,"His lettersare weightyand strong,but his personalpresenceis unimpressiveand his speechcontemptible."
For it is not he who commendshimselfthat is approved,but he whomthe Lordcommends.
But I trustthat you will realizethat we ourselvesdonot fail the test.
For we cando nothingagainstthe truth,but [only] for the truth.
For we rejoicewhenwe ourselvesare weakbut you are strong;thiswe alsoprayfor, that you be made complete.
but in everythingcommendingourselvesas servantsof God,in muchendurance,in afflictions,in hardships,in distresses,
for we have regardfor what is honorable,not onlyin the sightof the Lord,but alsoin the sightof men.
Finally,brethren,whateveris true,whateveris honorable,whateveris right,whateveris pure,whateveris lovely,whateveris of good repute,ifthere is anyexcellenceand ifanythingworthy of praise,dwellon these things.
Nowmay the Godof peaceHimselfsanctifyyou entirely;and may your spiritand souland bodybe preservedcomplete,without blameat the comingof our LordJesusChrist.
for kingsand allwho are in authority,sothat we may leada tranquiland quietlifein allgodlinessand dignity.
Be diligentto presentyourselfapprovedto Godas a workmanwho does not need to be ashamed,accurately handlingthe wordof truth.
The Lordwill rescueme from everyevildeed,and will bring me safelyto His heavenlykingdom;to Him [be] the gloryforeverand ever.Amen.
Blessedis a manwhoperseveresunder trial;for once he has beenapproved,he will receivethe crownof lifewhich[the Lord] has promisedto thosewho loveHim.
Keepyour behaviorexcellentamongthe Gentiles,sothat in the thing in whichthey slanderyou as evildoers,they may becauseof your gooddeeds,as they observe[them], glorifyGodin the dayof visitation.
