Be diligentto presentyourselfapprovedto Godas a workmanwho does not need to be ashamed,accurately handlingthe wordof truth.
but justas we have been approvedby Godto be entrustedwith the gospel,sowe speak,not as pleasingmen,but Godwho examinesour hearts.
Therefore,brethren,be all the morediligentto makecertainabout His callingand choosingyou; for as long as you practicethese things,you will neverstumble;
In pointingout these thingsto the brethren,you will be a goodservantof ChristJesus,[constantly] nourishedon the wordsof the faithand of the sounddoctrinewhichyou have been following.
For it is not he who commendshimselfthat is approved,but he whomthe Lordcommends.
Thereforewe alsohave as our ambition,whetherat homeorabsent,to be pleasingto Him.
but we have renouncedthe things hiddenbecause of shame,not walkingin craftinessoradulteratingthe wordof God,but by the manifestationof truthcommendingourselvesto everyman'sconsciencein the sightof God.
Therefore,beloved,since you lookfor these things,be diligentto be foundby Him in peace,spotlessand blameless,
For am I nowseeking the favorof men,orof God?Oram I strivingto pleasemen?IfI were stilltrying to pleasemen,I would not be a bond-servantof Christ.
And I will alsobe diligentthat at any timeaftermy departureyou will be ableto callthese thingsto mind.
In Him, you also,after listeningto the messageof truth,the gospelof your salvation--having alsobelieved,you were sealedin Him with the HolySpiritof promise,
We urgeyou, brethren,admonishthe unruly,encouragethe fainthearted,helpthe weak,be patientwith everyone.
whoalsomade us adequate[as] servantsof a newcovenant,not of the letterbut of the Spirit;for the letterkills,but the Spiritgives life.
For he who in this[way] servesChristis acceptableto Godand approvedby men.
Thereforelet us be diligentto enterthat rest,sothat noonewill fall,through[following] the sameexampleof disobedience.
In the exercise of His willHe brought us forthby the wordof truth,sothat we would be a kindof first fruitsamong His creatures.
Yetwe do speakwisdomamongthosewho are mature;a wisdom,however,not of thisagenorof the rulersof thisage,who are passing away;
"Menof Israel,listento thesewords:Jesusthe Nazarene,a manattestedto you by Godwith miraclesand wondersand signswhichGodperformedthroughHim in your midst,justas you yourselvesknow--
"For I did not shrinkfrom declaringto you the wholepurposeof God.
And Jesus saidto them, "Thereforeeveryscribewho has become a discipleof the kingdomof heavenis likea head of a household,whobringsout of his treasurethings newand old."
GreetApelles,the approvedin Christ.Greetthosewhoare of the [household] of Aristobulus.
And the Lordsaid,"Whothenis the faithfuland sensiblesteward,whomhis masterwill put in chargeof his servants,to givethem their rationsat the proper time?
With manysuchparablesHe was speakingthe wordto them, sofar as they were ableto hearit;
and do not go on presentingthe membersof your body to sin[as] instrumentsof unrighteousness;but presentyourselvesto Godas those alivefrom the dead,and your members[as] instrumentsof righteousnessto God.
Blessedis a manwhoperseveresunder trial;for once he has beenapproved,he will receivethe crownof lifewhich[the Lord] has promisedto thosewho loveHim.