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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Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

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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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17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

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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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In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

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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

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

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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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21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

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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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22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

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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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According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

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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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21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

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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 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

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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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12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

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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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18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

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

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(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

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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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But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

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