Meditate on These Things

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.

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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 that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, (B)without partiality (C)and without hypocrisy.

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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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in all things showing yourself to be (A)a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, (B)incorruptibility,[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Titus 2:7 NU omits incorruptibility

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

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Behave Like a Christian

(A)Let love be without hypocrisy. (B)Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 (C)Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, (D)in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 (E)rejoicing in hope, (F)patient[a] in tribulation, (G)continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 (H)distributing to the needs of the saints, (I)given[b] to hospitality.

14 (J)Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 (K)Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 (L)Be of the same mind toward one another. (M)Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

17 (N)Repay no one evil for evil. (O)Have[c] regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, (P)live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, (Q)do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, (R)“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore

(S)“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

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

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:12 persevering
  2. Romans 12:13 Lit. pursuing
  3. Romans 12:17 Or Provide good

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

22 But (A)the fruit of the Spirit is (B)love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, (C)goodness, (D)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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21 (A)providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

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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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as His (A)divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him (B)who called us by glory and virtue, (C)by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be (D)partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the [a]corruption that is in the world through lust.

Fruitful Growth in the Faith

But also for this very reason, (E)giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue (F)knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control [b]perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and (G)to brotherly kindness love.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Peter 1:4 depravity
  2. 2 Peter 1:6 patience

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 (A)Test all things; (B)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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Take Heed to Your Ministry

12 Let no one [a]despise your youth, but be an (A)example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, [b]in spirit, in faith, in purity.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 4:12 look down on your youthfulness
  2. 1 Timothy 4:12 NU omits in spirit

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 (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.

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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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Prayer Requested

18 (A)Pray for us; for we are confident that we have (B)a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.

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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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but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,

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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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(A)And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

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All who have this hope in him purify themselves,(A) just as he is pure.(B)

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