For he who in this[way] servesChristis acceptableto Godand approvedby men.
"Ifyou dowell,will not [your countenance] be liftedup? And ifyou do not dowell,sinis crouchingat the door;and its desireis for you, but you must masterit."
Go[then], eatyour breadin happinessand drinkyour winewith a cheerfulheart;for Godhas alreadyapprovedyour works.
"[It is] likea manaway on a journey,[who] upon leavinghis houseand puttinghis slavesin charge,[assigning] to each onehis task,alsocommandedthe doorkeeperto stay on the alert.
"IfanyoneservesMe, he must followMe; and whereI am,thereMy servantwill be also;ifanyoneservesMe, the Fatherwill honorhim.
but in everynationthe man who fearsHim and doeswhat is rightis welcometo Him.
not lagging behindin diligence,ferventin spirit,servingthe Lord;
Whoare you to judgethe servantof another?To his ownmasterhe standsorfalls;and he will stand,for the Lordis ableto make him stand.
For such menare slaves,not of our LordChristbut of their ownappetites;and by their smoothand flattering speechthey deceivethe heartsof the unsuspecting.
But nowhaving been freedfrom sinand enslavedto God,you deriveyour benefit,resultingin sanctification,and the outcome,eternallife.
For he who was calledin the Lordwhile a slave,is the Lord'sfreedman;likewisehe who was calledwhile free,is Christ'sslave.
but we have renouncedthe things hiddenbecause of shame,not walkingin craftinessoradulteratingthe wordof God,but by the manifestationof truthcommendingourselvesto everyman'sconsciencein the sightof God.
Therefore,knowingthe fearof the Lord,we persuademen,but we are mademanifestto God;and I hopethat we are made manifestalsoin your consciences.
Thereforewe alsohave as our ambition,whetherat homeorabsent,to be pleasingto Him.
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.
But I have receivedeverythingin fulland have an abundance;I am amply supplied,having receivedfrom Epaphrodituswhat you have sent,a fragrantaroma,an acceptablesacrifice,well-pleasingto God.
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.
knowingthat from the Lordyou will receivethe rewardof the inheritance.It is the LordChristwhom you serve.
Thisis goodand acceptablein the sightof Godour Savior,
but ifanywidowhaschildrenorgrandchildren,they must firstlearnto practice pietyin regard to their ownfamilyand to make some returnto their parents;for thisis acceptablein the sightof God.
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.
For whatcreditis there if,when you sinand are harshly treated,you endureit with patience?But ifwhen you do what is rightand suffer[for it] you patiently endureit, this[finds] favorwith God.
you also,as livingstones,are being builtup as a spiritualhousefor a holypriesthood,to offerup spiritualsacrificesacceptableto GodthroughJesusChrist.
and keepa goodconsciencesothat in the thing in whichyou are slandered,thosewho revileyour goodbehaviorin Christwill be put to shame.
