Suffering for Doing Good

¹³ Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?

¹⁵ See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together^[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

¹¹ Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.^[a]

Tongues and Prophecy

14 Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.

³ For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.

¹⁰ She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly?^[a] Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good?