But I tell you that anyone who loses their temper with a brother or sister will answer for it in court. Anyone who speaks scornfully to a brother or sister will face the council of elders. And anyone who dismisses someone as worthless will be in danger of the fire in hell.
We also thank God constantly for the way you received his word when you heard it from us. You didn’t accept it as a human word, but for what it is, the word of God. And that word is truly at work in you who believe.
The Berean Jews were more reasonable than those in Thessalonica. They received Paul’s message gladly and studied the Scriptures carefully every day to see if what Paul said was true.
So I sent for you right away, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, and God is also with us, so we are ready to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
My dear brothers and sisters, listen to me. Hasn’t God chosen those who are poor in the world’s eyes to be rich in faith? Hasn’t he chosen them to receive the kingdom that he promised to give to those who love him?
My brothers and sisters, don’t say bad things about one another. Anyone who says something bad about a brother or sister is saying it about the law, and anyone who judges another believer is judging the law. When you judge the law, you’re not keeping it, you’re acting as if you were its judge.
Above all, my brothers and sisters, don’t swear any oaths, not by heaven or by the earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” If you do more than that, you’ll be found guilty.