Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

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Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

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17 But (A)the wisdom from above is first pure, then (B)peaceable, gentle, open to reason, (C)full of mercy and good fruits, (D)impartial and (E)sincere.

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17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven(A) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,(B) considerate, submissive, full of mercy(C) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.(D)

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Show yourself in all respects to be (A)a model of good works, and in your teaching (B)show integrity, (C)dignity,

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In everything set them an example(A) by doing what is good.(B) In your teaching show integrity, seriousness

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Marks of the True Christian

(A)Let love be genuine. (B)Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 (C)Love one another with brotherly affection. (D)Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, (E)be fervent in spirit,[a] (F)serve the Lord. 12 (G)Rejoice in hope, (H)be patient in tribulation, (I)be constant in prayer. 13 (J)Contribute to the needs of the saints and (K)seek to show hospitality.

14 (L)Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 (M)Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 (N)Live in harmony with one another. (O)Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.[b] (P)Never be wise in your own sight. 17 (Q)Repay no one evil for evil, but (R)give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, (S)live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, (T)never avenge yourselves, but leave it[c] to the wrath of God, for it is written, (U)“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, (V)“if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:11 Or fervent in the Spirit
  2. Romans 12:16 Or give yourselves to humble tasks
  3. Romans 12:19 Greek give place

Love in Action

Love must be sincere.(A) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.(B) 10 Be devoted to one another in love.(C) Honor one another above yourselves.(D) 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,(E) serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope,(F) patient in affliction,(G) faithful in prayer.(H) 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.(I) Practice hospitality.(J)

14 Bless those who persecute you;(K) bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.(L) 16 Live in harmony with one another.(M) Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.(N)

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.(O) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.(P) 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.(Q) 19 Do not take revenge,(R) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[b](S) says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[c](T)

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:16 Or willing to do menial work
  2. Romans 12:19 Deut. 32:35
  3. Romans 12:20 Prov. 25:21,22

21 for (A)we aim at what is honorable (B)not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man.

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21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.(A)

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22 But (A)the fruit of the Spirit is (B)love, joy, peace, patience, (C)kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

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22 But the fruit(A) of the Spirit is love,(B) joy, peace,(C) forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

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Confirm Your Calling and Election

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him (A)who called us to[a] his own glory and excellence,[b] by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become (B)partakers of the divine nature, (C)having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith (D)with virtue,[c] and virtue (E)with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control (F)with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness (G)with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection (H)with love.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Peter 1:3 Or by
  2. 2 Peter 1:3 Or virtue
  3. 2 Peter 1:5 Or excellence; twice in this verse

Confirming One’s Calling and Election

His divine power(A) has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him(B) who called us(C) by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises,(D) so that through them you may participate in the divine nature,(E) having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.(F)

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;(G) and to knowledge, self-control;(H) and to self-control, perseverance;(I) and to perseverance, godliness;(J) and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.(K)

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21 but (A)test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

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21 but test them all;(A) hold on to what is good,(B) 22 reject every kind of evil.

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12 (A)Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, (B)they may see your good deeds and glorify God on (C)the day of visitation.

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12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds(A) and glorify God(B) on the day he visits us.

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12 (A)Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers (B)an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

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12 Don’t let anyone look down on you(A) because you are young, but set an example(B) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith(C) and in purity.

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18 (A)Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.

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18 Pray for us.(A) We are sure that we have a clear conscience(B) and desire to live honorably in every way.

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(for (A)the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),

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(for the fruit(A) of the light consists in all goodness,(B) righteousness and truth)

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but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, (A)and disciplined.

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Rather, he must be hospitable,(A) one who loves what is good,(B) who is self-controlled,(C) upright, holy and disciplined.

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