Romans 14:18
New Living Translation
18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.
Read full chapter
2 Corinthians 8:21
New Living Translation
21 We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.
Read full chapter
1 Peter 2:20
New Living Translation
20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.
Read full chapter
1 Peter 2:5
New Living Translation
5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests.[a] Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2:5 Greek holy priesthood.
2 Corinthians 5:11
New Living Translation
We Are God’s Ambassadors
11 Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.
Read full chapter
1 Thessalonians 1:3-4
New Living Translation
3 As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 We know, dear brothers and sisters,[a] that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1:4 Greek brothers.
Romans 16:18
New Living Translation
18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.
Read full chapter
1 Peter 3:16
New Living Translation
16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way.[a] Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 3:16 Some English translations put this sentence in verse 15.
James 2:18-26
New Living Translation
18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God.[a] Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?
21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”[b] He was even called the friend of God.[c] 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.
25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath,[d] so also faith is dead without good works.
Read full chapter
1 Timothy 5:4
New Living Translation
4 But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God.
Read full chapter
1 Timothy 2:3
New Living Translation
3 This is good and pleases God our Savior,
Read full chapter
Colossians 3:24
New Living Translation
24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.[a]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 3:24 Or and serve Christ as your Master.
Philippians 4:18
New Living Translation
18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.
Read full chapter
Galatians 6:15-16
New Living Translation
15 It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 16 May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.[a]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 6:16 Greek this principle, and upon the Israel of God.
2 Corinthians 6:4
New Living Translation
4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.
Read full chapter
2 Corinthians 4:2
New Living Translation
2 We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.
Read full chapter
1 Corinthians 7:22
New Living Translation
22 And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ.
Read full chapter
Romans 14:4
New Living Translation
4 Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.
Read full chapter
Romans 12:11
New Living Translation
11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[a]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 12:11 Or but serve the Lord with a zealous spirit; or but let the Spirit excite you as you serve the Lord.
Romans 12:1-2
New Living Translation
A Living Sacrifice to God
12 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Read full chapter
Romans 6:22
New Living Translation
22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.
Read full chapter
Acts 10:35
New Living Translation
35 In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.
Read full chapter
John 12:26
New Living Translation
26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
Read full chapter
Mark 13:34
New Living Translation
34 “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return.
Read full chapter
Ecclesiastes 9:7
New Living Translation
7 So go ahead. Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this!
Read full chapterHoly Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.