Paul Prefers Gentleness

⁷ Now ^[a]I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though ^(A)we may seem disqualified.

^12 (A)having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, ^(B)they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Loving God Under Trials

^12 (A)Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive ^(B)the crown of life ^(C)which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

^18 (A)And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. ^(B)To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

^15 (A)Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

^2 (A)for kings and ^(B)all who are in ^[a]authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and ^[b]reverence.

Blessing and Admonition

²³ Now may ^(A)the God of peace Himself ^(B)sanctify^[a] you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body ^(C)be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Meditate on These Things

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are ^(A)true, whatever things are ^(B)noble, whatever things are ^(C)just, ^(D)whatever things are pure, whatever things are ^(E)lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, ¹¹ being filled with the fruits of righteousness ^(A)which are by Jesus Christ, ^(B)to the glory and praise of God.