⁴ You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

¹² Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

²⁹ No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise^[a] from God, not from people.

²⁹ Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

² They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.

²⁶ You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish,^[a] and then the outside will become clean, too.

²² I love God’s law with all my heart.

¹⁶ That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are^[a] being renewed every day.

¹¹ Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.