⁹ Love others well, and don’t hide behind a mask; love authentically. Despise evil; pursue what is good as if your life depends on it. ¹⁰ Live in true devotion to one another, loving each other as sisters and brothers. Be first to honor others by putting them first. ¹¹ Do not slack in your faithfulness and hard work. Let your spirit be on fire, bubbling up and boiling over, as you serve the Lord. ¹² Do not forget to rejoice, for hope is always just around the corner. Hold up through the hard times that are coming, and devote yourselves to prayer. ¹³ Share what you have with the saints, so they lack nothing; take every opportunity to open your life and home to others.

¹⁴ If people mistreat or malign you, bless them. Always speak blessings, not curses. ¹⁵ If some have cause to celebrate, join in the celebration. And if others are weeping, join in that as well. ¹⁶ Work toward unity, and live in harmony with one another. Avoid thinking you are better than others or wiser than the rest; instead, embrace common people and ordinary tasks. ¹⁷ Do not retaliate with evil, regardless of the evil brought against you. Try to do what is good and right and honorable as agreed upon by all people. ¹⁸ If it is within your power, make peace with all people. ¹⁹ Again, my loved ones, do not seek revenge; instead, allow God’s wrath to make sure justice is served. Turn it over to Him. For the Scriptures say, “Revenge is Mine. I will settle all scores.”^{[a] 20} But consider this bit of wisdom: “If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink; because if you treat him kindly, it will be like heaping hot coals on top of his head.”^{[b] 21} Never let evil get the best of you; instead, overpower evil with the good.