Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

¹⁷ Here then is what the Lord has told me to say. You must not live like the people who do not believe in God. They do not think clearly.

¹⁸ Their minds are dark. They are far away from God's life because they do not know the truth. They have no love in their hearts.

¹⁹ Nothing makes them ashamed anymore. They live a very bad life. They do every kind of wrong thing. And they always want to do it more.

²⁰ That is not what you have learned from Christ!

²¹ You were taught by him, and Jesus has the truth!

²² Stop being the person you used to be in your old life. That person was bad because he wanted to do wrong things.

²³ Have a new mind and heart.

²⁴ Be a new person. That new person has been made like God. He does what is right and holy because he knows the truth.

²⁵ So stop telling lies. Tell the truth to each other. We all are parts of the same body.

²⁶ When you are angry, do not do anything wrong. And do not stay angry after the sun goes down.

²⁷ Do not let the devil control you.

²⁸ The person who used to steal must not steal now. But he must do some good work with his own hands. Then he will have something to give to the poor people.

²⁹ Do not let any bad words come out of your mouth. But say good things that will help people. Then those who hear you will also be blessed by what you say.

³⁰ Do nothing that makes the Holy Spirit feel sad. He is the mark God has put on you until the day you will belong to God altogether.

³¹ You must stop all hate, big and small anger, loud talk, saying wrong things about people, and all wanting to do wrong things to people.

³² Be kind to one another. Have a loving and understanding heart. Forgive one another because God has forgiven you for Christ's sake.

5 So try to be like God, because you are his own dear children.

² Love others as Christ has loved us. He gave his life for us, a sweet smelling offering and a sacrifice to God.