Behave Like a Christian

^9 (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

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

Submit to Government

13 Let every soul be ^(U)subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. ² Therefore whoever resists ^(V)the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will ^[d]bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? ^(W)Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. ⁴ For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. ⁵ Therefore ^(X)you must be subject, not only because of wrath ^(Y)but also for conscience’ sake. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. ^7 (Z)Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Love Your Neighbor^(AA)

⁸ Owe no one anything except to love one another, for ^(AB)he who loves another has fulfilled the law. ⁹ For the commandments, ^(AC)“You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” ^[e]“You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, ^(AD)“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰ Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore ^(AE)love is the fulfillment of the law.

A Hymn of Faith

To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.

^4 (A)Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

¹¹ “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and ^(A)that your joy may be full.