Character of the New Man

¹² Therefore, ^(A)as the elect of God, holy and beloved, ^(B)put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ^13 (C)bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ^14 (D)But above all these things ^(E)put on love, which is the ^(F)bond of perfection. ¹⁵ And let ^(G)the peace of God rule in your hearts, ^(H)to which also you were called ^(I)in one body; and ^(J)be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another ^(K)in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And ^(L)whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Behave Like a Christian

^9 (A)Let love be without hypocrisy. ^(B)Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ^10 (C)Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, ^(D)in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ^12 (E)rejoicing in hope, ^(F)patient^[a] in tribulation, ^(G)continuing steadfastly in prayer; ^13 (H)distributing to the needs of the saints, ^(I)given^[b] to hospitality.

^14 (J)Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ^15 (K)Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ^16 (L)Be of the same mind toward one another. ^(M)Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

All to the Glory of God^(A)

²³ All things are lawful ^[a]for me, but not all things are ^(B)helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things ^[b]edify. ²⁴ Let no one seek his own, but each one ^(C)the other’s well-being.

^25 (D)Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; ²⁶ for ^(E)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”

²⁷ If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, ^(F)eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. ²⁸ But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it ^(G)for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; ^[c]for ^(H)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” ²⁹ “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For ^(I)why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? ³⁰ But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food ^(J)over which I give thanks?

^31 (K)Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ^32 (L)Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, ³³ just ^(M)as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Walk in Unity

4 I, therefore, the prisoner ^[a]of the Lord, ^[b]beseech you to ^(A)walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, ² with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, ³ endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit ^(B)in the bond of peace. ^4 (C)There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; ^5 (D)one Lord, ^(E)one faith, ^(F)one baptism; ^6 (G)one God and Father of all, who is above all, and ^(H)through all, and in ^[c]you all.