Thereforebe imitatorsof God,as belovedchildren;
"Is EphraimMy dearson?Is he a delightfulchild?Indeed,as oftenas I have spokenagainst him, I certainly[still] rememberhim; ThereforeMy heartyearnsfor him; I will surelyhavemercyon him," declaresthe LORD.
Yet the numberof the sonsof IsraelWill be like the sandof the sea,Whichcannotbe measuredor numbered;And in the placeWhereit is saidto them, "You are not My people,"It will be saidto them, "[You are] the sonsof the livingGod."
For I am the LORDwho broughtyou up from the landof Egyptto be your God;thus you shall be holy,for I am holy.'"
sothat you may be sonsof your Fatherwhois in heaven;for He causesHis sunto riseon [the] eviland [the] good,and sends rainon [the] righteousand [the] unrighteous.
"Thereforeyou are to be perfect,as your heavenlyFatheris perfect.
But as manyas receivedHim, to them He gavethe rightto becomechildrenof God,[even] to thosewho believein His name,
Be kindto one another,tender-hearted,forgivingeach other,justas Godin Christalsohas forgivenyou.
sothat you will proveyourselves to be blamelessand innocent,childrenof Godabove reproachin the midstof a crookedand perversegeneration,amongwhomyou appearas lightsin the world,
So,as those who have been chosenof God,holyand beloved,puton a heartof compassion,kindness,humility,gentlenessand patience;
Beloved,ifGodsolovedus, we alsooughtto loveone another.
