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Happy those who do not follow the counsel of
the wicked, Nor go the way of sinners, nor sit in company with
scoffers. [PS 1:1]
They have good reason, then, to fear; God is
with the company of the just. [PS 14:5]
I do not sit with deceivers, nor with hypocrites do I mingle. I hate the company of evildoers; with the wicked I do not sit. I will wash my hands in innocence and walk round your altar, LORD, Lifting my voice in thanks, recounting all your wondrous deeds.
[PS 26:4-7]
I look to the faithful of the land; they
alone can be my companions. Those who follow the way of integrity,
they alone can enter my service. [PS 101:6]
He who winks at a fault causes trouble, but he who frankly
reproves promotes peace. [PROV 10:10]
Walk with wise men and you will become wise, but
the companion of fools will fare badly. [PROV 13:20]
Expel the arrogant man and discord goes out;
strife and insult cease. [PROV 22:10]
Be not friendly with a hotheaded man, nor the companion of a wrathful man,
Lest you learn his ways, and get yourself into a snare.
[PROV 22:24-25]
Two are better than one: they get a good wage for their labor. If the one falls, the other will lift up his companion. Woe to the solitary man! For if he should fall, he has no one to lift him up. [ECCL
4:9-10]
A beggar in distress do not reject; avert not
your face from the poor. [SIRACH 4:4]
Frequent the company of the elders; whoever is
wise, stay close to him. [SIRACH 6:34]
Avoid wickedness, and it will turn aside from
you. [Taken from SIRACH 7:2]
To the poor man also extend your hand, that your blessing may be complete; Be generous to all the living, and withhold not your kindness from the dead. Avoid not those who weep, but mourn with those who mourn; Neglect not to visit the
sick - for these things you will be loved. In whatever you do, remember your last days, and you will never sin.
[SIRACH 7:32-36]
Reject not the tradition of old men which they
have learned from their fathers; From it you will obtain the
knowledge how to answer in time of need. [SIRACH 8:9]
As best you can, take your neighbors' measure,
and associate with the wise. [SIRACH 9:14]
Have just men for your table companions; in the
fear of God be your glory. [SIRACH 9:16]
Avoid a wicked man, for he breeds only evil,
lest you incur a lasting stain. [SIRACH 11:33]
Who pities a snake charmer when he is bitten, or anyone who goes near a wild beast? So is it with the companion of the proud man, who is involved in his sins: While you stand firm, he makes no bold move; but if you slip, he cannot hold back. With his lips an enemy speaks sweetly, but in his heart he schemes to plunge you into the abyss.
Though your enemy has tears in his eyes, if given the chance, he will never have enough of your blood. [SIRACH 12:13-16]
He who touches pitch blackens his hand; he who associates with an impious man learns his ways. [SIRACH 13:1]
Be on your guard and take care never to
accompany men of violence. [SIRACH 13:13]
Every living thing loves its own kind, every man a man like himself.
Every being is drawn to its own kind; with his own kind every man associates. Is a wolf ever allied with a lamb? So it is with the sinner and the just.
[SIRACH 13:14-16]
Wine and women make the mind giddy, and the
companion of harlots becomes reckless. [SIRACH 19:2]
Speak but seldom with the stupid man, be not the companion of a brute; Beware of him lest you have trouble and be spattered when he shakes himself;
Turn away from him and you will find rest and not be wearied by his lack of sense.
[SIRACH 22:12-13]
Limit the time you spend among fools, but
frequent the company of thoughtful men. [SIRACH 27:12]
Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; of the Most High's covenant, and overlook faults. Avoid strife and your sins will be fewer, for a quarrelsome man kindles disputes, Commits the sin of disrupting friendship and sows discord among those at peace.
[SIRACH 28:7-9]
Instead, associate with a religious man, who you
are sure keeps the commandments; Who is like-minded with yourself
and will feel for you if you fall. [SIRACH 37:12]
Neither shall I admit consuming jealousy to my
company, because that can have no fellowship with Wisdom. [WISDOM
6:23]
"You have heard that it was said to your
ancestors, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable
to judgment.' But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother,
'Raqa,'
will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,'
will be liable to fiery Gehenna." [MT 5:21-22]
"You have heard that it was said, 'You
shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you, everyone who looks
at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in
his heart." [MT 5:27-28]
"It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his
wife must give her a bill of divorce.' But I say to you, whoever
divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to
commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits
adultery." [MT 5:31-32]
"Again you have heard that it was said to
your ancestors, 'Do not take a false oath, but make good to the
Lord all that you vow.' But I say to you, do not swear at all; not
by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is his
footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white
or black. Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.'
Anything more is from the evil one." [MT 5:33-37]
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye
for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, offer no
resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on (your)
right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to
go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for
two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your
back on one who wants to borrow." [MT 5:38-42]
"You have heard that it was said, 'You
shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you,
love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you
may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise
on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and
the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense
will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you
greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the
pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is
perfect." [MT 5:43-48]
"Stop judging, that you may not be judged.
For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with
which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice
the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden
beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me
remove that splinter from your eye,' while the wooden beam is in
your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye
first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your
brother's eye." [MT 7:1-5]
"Do to others whatever you would have them
do to you. This is the law and the prophets." [MT 7:12]
[Jesus commissioned the apostles:] " As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to
you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words - go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet."
[Taken from MT 10:12-14]
"Whoever loves father or mother more than
me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more
than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his
cross and follow after me is not worthy of me." [MT 10:37-38]
"Whoever receives you receives me, and
whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives
a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward,
and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will
receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives only a cup of
cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a
disciple - amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his
reward." [MT 10:40-42]
"See that you do not despise one of these little
ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost." [MT
18:10,12-14]
"If your brother sins (against you), go and
tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to
you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take
one or two others along with you, so that 'every fact may be
established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he
refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to
listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile
or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth
shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be
loosed in heaven. Again, (amen,) I say to you, if two of you agree
on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be
granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are
gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of
them." [MT 18:15-20]
Then children were brought to him that he might
lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but
Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent
them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
After he placed his hands on them, he went away. [MT 19:13-15]
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have
commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of
the age." [MT 28:19-20]
[Jesus commissioned the apostles:] "He said to them,
'Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against
them.'" [Taken from MK 6:10-11]
John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward."
[MK 9:38-41]
"Whoever causes one of these little ones
who believe (in me) to sin, it would be better for him if a great
millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the
sea." [MK 9:42]
He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife
and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she
divorces her husband and marries another, she commits
adultery." [MK 10:11-12]
And people were bringing children to him that he
might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw
this he became indignant and said to them, "Let the children
come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to
such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the
kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." Then he
embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them. [MK
10:13-16]
One of the scribes, when he came forward and
heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, asked
him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus
replied, "The first is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our
God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your
strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
[MK 12:28-31]
Jesus began to say to them, "See that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name saying, 'I am he,' and they will deceive many."
[MK 13:5-6]
"But to you who hear I say, love your
enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on
one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who
takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to
everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours
do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to
you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to
you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to
those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners
do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect
repayment, what credit (is) that to you? Even sinners lend to
sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your
enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then
your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most
High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be
merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful." [LK 6:27-36]
"Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you
will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good
measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be
poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will
in return be measured out to you." And he told them a
parable, "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not
both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but
when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why
do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not
perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your
brother, 'Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,' when
you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You
hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you
will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother's eye."
[LK
6:37-42]
[Jesus instructed the apostles,] "And as for those who do not welcome you, when
you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony
against them." [Taken from LK 9:5]
Then John said in reply, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company." Jesus said to him, "Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you."
[LK 9:49-50]
[Jesus told those whom he sent ahead,] "Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever
rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who
sent me." [Taken from LK 10:16]
But because he wished to justify himself, he
said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied,
"A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem
to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him
half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when
he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite
came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the
opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was
moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he
lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for
him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to
the innkeeper with the instruction, 'Take care of him. If you
spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way
back.' Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the
robbers' victim?" He answered, "The one who treated him
with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do
likewise." [LK 10:29-37]
I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before
others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.
But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the
angels of God. [LK 12:8-9]
"Do you think that I have come to establish peace
on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a
household of five will be divided, three against two and two
against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son
against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter
against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." [LK
12:51-53]
He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, 'Give your place to this man,' and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, 'My friend, move up to a higher position.' Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Then he said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
[LK 14:7-14]
Great crowds were traveling with him, and he
turned and addressed them, "If any one comes to me without
hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and
sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever
does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my
disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first
sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its
completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding
himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at
him and say, 'This one began to build but did not have the
resources to finish.' Or what king marching into battle would not
first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can
successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty
thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will
send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way,
everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot
be my disciple." [LK 14:25-33]
"What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance."
[LK 15:4-7]
He said to his disciples, "Things that
cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through
whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were
put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to
cause one of these little ones to sin. Be on your guard! If your
brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if
he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven
times saying, 'I am sorry,' you should forgive him." [LK
17:1-4]
People were bringing even infants to him that he
might touch them, and when the disciples saw this, they rebuked
them. Jesus, however, called the children to himself and said,
"Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the
kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not
enter it." [LK 18:15-17]
"Beware that your hearts do not become
drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily
life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day
will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be
vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to
escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the
Son of Man." [LK 21:34-36]
We know that God does not listen to sinners, but
if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. [JN 9:31]
I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
[JN 10:14-16]
"I give you a new commandment: love one another.
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is
how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for
one another." [JN 13:34-35]
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in
my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain
in his love. "I have told you this so that my joy may be in
you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one
another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay
down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do
what I command you." [JN 15:10-14]
This I command you: love one another. [JN 15:17]
And now I will no longer be in the world, but
they are in the world, while I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep
them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one
just as we are. [JN 17:11]
All these devoted themselves with one accord to
prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus,
and his brothers. [ACTS 1:14]
They devoted themselves to the teaching of the
apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread
and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and
signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were
together and had all things in common; they would sell their
property and possessions and divide them among all according to
each one's need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting
together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes.
They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart,
praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day
the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. [ACTS
2:42-47]
The community of believers was of one heart and
mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,
but they had everything in common. With great power the apostles
bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great
favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them,
for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the
proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles,
and they were distributed to each according to need. [ACTS
4:32-35]
While he conversed with him, he went in and found many people gathered together and
[Peter] said to them, "You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with, or visit, a Gentile, but God has shown me that I should not call any person profane or
unclean." [Taken from ACTS 10:27-28]
"After I had returned to Jerusalem and while I was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord saying to me, 'Hurry, leave Jerusalem at once, because they will not accept your testimony about
me."' [ACTS 22:17-18]
For I long to see you, that I may share with you some spiritual gift so that you may be strengthened, that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by one another's faith, yours and mine. [ROM
1:11-12]
Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous and thus save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the firstfruits are holy, so is the whole batch of dough; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place and have come to share in the rich root of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. If you do boast, consider that you do not support the root; the root supports you. Indeed you will say, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." That is so. They were broken off because of unbelief, but you are there because of faith. So do not become haughty, but stand in awe. For if God did not spare the natural branches, (perhaps) he will not spare you either. See, then, the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but God's kindness to you, provided you remain in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off. And they also, if they do not remain in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated one, how much more will they who belong to it by nature be grafted back into their own olive tree. [ROM
11:13-24]
Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on
to what is good; love one another with mutual affection;
anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in
zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope,
endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs
of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. Bless those who persecute
(you), bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who
rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one
another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be
wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be
concerned for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, on
your part, live at peace with all. Beloved, do not look for
revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written,
"Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."
Rather, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty,
give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning
coals upon his head." Do not be conquered by evil but conquer
evil with good. [ROM 12:9-21]
Let every person be subordinate to the higher
authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those
that exist have been established by God. Therefore, whoever
resists authority opposes what God has appointed, and those who
oppose it will bring judgment upon themselves. For rulers are not
a cause of fear to good conduct, but to evil. Do you wish to have
no fear of authority? Then do what is good and you will receive
approval from it, for it is a servant of God for your good. But if
you do evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword without
purpose; it is the servant of God to inflict wrath on the
evildoer. Therefore, it is necessary to be subject not only
because of the wrath but also because of conscience. [ROM 13:1-5]
Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one
another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The
commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; you shall not
kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet," and whatever
other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying,
(namely) "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment
of the law. [ROM 13:8-10]
Who are you to pass judgment on someone else's
servant? Before his own master he stands or falls. And he will be
upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. [ROM 14:4]
Then let us no longer judge one another, but
rather resolve never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the
way of a brother. [ROM 14:13]
Let us then pursue what leads to peace and to
building up one another. [ROM 14:19]
We who are strong ought to put up with the
failings of the weak and not to please ourselves; let each of us
please our neighbor for the good, for building up. [ROM 15:1-2]
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant
you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ
Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. [ROM 15:5-6]
Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed
you, for the glory of God. [ROM 15:7]
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the
churches of Christ greet you. [ROM 16:16]
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles, in opposition to the teaching that you learned; avoid them. For such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent. [ROM
16:17-18]
God is faithful, and by him you were called to
fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [1COR 1:9]
Brothers, I could not talk to you as spiritual
people, but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ. I fed you
milk, not solid food, because you were unable to take it. Indeed,
you are still not able, even now, for you are still of the flesh.
While there is jealousy and rivalry among you, are you not of the
flesh, and behaving in an ordinary human way? [1COR 3:1-3]
Therefore, I urge you, be imitators of me. [1COR
4:16]
It is widely reported that there is immorality
among you, and immorality of a kind not found even among pagans -
a man living with his father's wife. And you are inflated with
pride. Should you not rather have been sorrowful? The one who did
this deed should be expelled from your midst. I, for my part,
although absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as if
present, pronounced judgment on the one who has committed this
deed, in the name of (our) Lord Jesus: when you have gathered
together and I am with you in spirit with the power of the Lord
Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of
his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
Your boasting is not appropriate. Do you not know that a little
yeast leavens all the dough? Clear out the old yeast, so that you
may become a fresh batch of dough, inasmuch as you are unleavened...
[For Christ] has been sacrificed. Therefore let
us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of
malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity
and truth. I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral
people, not at all referring to the immoral of this world or the
greedy and robbers or idolaters; for you would then have to leave
the world. But I now write to you not to associate with anyone
named a brother, if he is immoral, greedy, an idolater, a
slanderer, a drunkard, or a robber, not even to eat with such a
person. For why should I be judging outsiders? Is it not your
business to judge those within? God will judge those outside.
"Purge the evil person from your midst." [1COR 5:1-13]
How can any one of you with a case against
another dare to bring it to the unjust for judgment instead of to
the holy ones? Do you not know that the holy ones will judge the
world? If the world is to be judged by you, are you unqualified
for the lowest law courts? Do you not know that we will judge
angels? Then why not everyday matters? If, therefore, you have
courts for everyday matters, do you seat as judges people of no
standing in the church? I say this to shame you. Can it be that
there is not one among you wise enough to be able to settle a case
between brothers? But rather brother goes to court against
brother, and that before unbelievers? Now indeed (then) it is, in
any case, a failure on your part that you have lawsuits against
one another. Why not rather put up with injustice? Why not rather
let yourselves be cheated? Instead, you inflict injustice and
cheat, and this to brothers. Do you not know that the unjust will
not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither
fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor
practicing homosexuals nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards
nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. [1COR
6:1-10]
To the married, however, I give this instruction (not I, but the Lord):
a wife should not separate from her husband - and if she does separate she must either remain single or become reconciled to her
husband - and a husband should not divorce his wife. To the rest I say (not the Lord): if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she is willing to go on living with him, he should not divorce her; and if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he is willing to go on living with her, she should not divorce her husband. For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through the brother. Otherwise your children would be unclean, whereas in fact they are holy. If the unbeliever separates, however, let him separate. The brother or sister is not bound in such cases; God has called you to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband; or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? [1COR
7:10-16]
To the Jews I became like a Jew to win over
Jews; to those under the law I became like one under the law -
though I myself am not under the law - to win over those under
the law. To those outside the law I became like one
outside the law - though I am not outside God's law but within the
law of Christ - to win over those outside the law. [1COR 9:20-21]
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that
our ancestors were all under the cloud and all passed through the
sea, and all of them were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in
the sea. All ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same
spiritual drink, for they drank from a spiritual rock that
followed them, and the rock was the Christ. Yet God was not
pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the
desert. These things happened as examples for us, so that we might
not desire evil things, as they did. And do not become idolaters,
as some of them did, as it is written, "The people sat down
to eat and drink, and rose up to revel." Let us not indulge
in immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell
within a single day. Let us not test Christ as some of them did,
and suffered death by serpents. Do not grumble as some of them
did, and suffered death by the destroyer. These things happened to
them as an example, and they have been written down as a warning
to us, upon whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore, whoever
thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall. No
trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will
not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he
will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.
[1COR 10:1-13]
No one should seek his own advantage, but that
of his neighbor. [1COR 10:24]
Avoid giving offense, whether to Jews or Greeks
or the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in every
way, not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, that they
may be saved. [1COR 10:32-33]
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. [1COR
11:1]
Therefore, my brothers, when you come together
to eat, wait for one another. If anyone is hungry, he should eat
at home, so that your meetings may not result in judgment. The
other matters I shall set in order when I come. [1COR 11:33-34]
As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many. But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you," nor again the head to the feet, "I do not need you." Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If (one) part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.
[1COR 12:12-14,18-26]
So what is to be done, brothers? When you
assemble, one has a psalm, another an instruction, a revelation, a
tongue, or an interpretation. Everything should be done for
building up. [1COR 14:26]
So, (my) brothers, strive eagerly to prophesy,
and do not forbid speaking in tongues, but everything must be done
properly and in order. [1COR 14:39-40]
Do not be led astray: "Bad company corrupts
good morals." Become sober as you ought and stop sinning. For
some have no knowledge of God; I say this to your shame. [1COR
15:33-34]
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be firm,
steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing
that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. [1COR 15:58]
Now in regard to the collection for the holy
ones, you also should do as I ordered the churches of Galatia. On
the first day of the week each of you should set aside and save
whatever one can afford, so that collections will not be going on
when I come. [1COR 16:1-2]
Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be
courageous, be strong. Your every act should be done with love. I
urge you, brothers - you know that the household of Stephanas is
the firstfruits of Achaia and that they have devoted themselves to
the service of the holy ones - be subordinate to such people and
to everyone who works and toils with them. [1COR 16:13-16]
If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be
accursed. [Taken from 1COR 16:22]
If anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not
to me, but in some measure (not to exaggerate) to all of you. This
punishment by the majority is enough for such a person, so that on
the contrary you should forgive and encourage him instead, or else
the person may be overwhelmed by excessive pain. Therefore, I urge
you to reaffirm your love for him. [2COR 2:5-8]
So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were
appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be
reconciled to God. [2COR 5:20]
Do not be yoked with those who are different,
with unbelievers. For what partnership do righteousness and
lawlessness have? Or what fellowship does light have with
darkness? What accord has Christ with Beliar? Or what has a
believer in common with an unbeliever? What agreement has the
temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God;
as God said: "I will live with them and move among them, and
I will be their God and they shall be my people. Therefore, come
forth from them and be separate," says the Lord, "and
touch nothing unclean; then I will receive you and I will be a
father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the
Lord Almighty." [2COR 6:14-18]
So I thought it necessary to encourage the
brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for your
promised gift, so that in this way it might be ready as a
bountiful gift and not as an exaction. Consider this: whoever sows
sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully
will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined,
without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. The
one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply
and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your
righteousness. You are being enriched in every way for all
generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God, for the
administration of this public service is not only supplying the
needs of the holy ones but is also overflowing in many acts of
thanksgiving to God. Through the evidence of this service, you are
glorifying God for your obedient confession of the gospel of
Christ and the generosity of your contribution to them and to all
others [Taken from 2COR 9:5-7,10-13]
Examine yourselves to see whether you are living
in faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is
in you? - unless, of course, you fail the test. [2COR 13:5]
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Mend your ways,
encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and
the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with
a holy kiss. All the holy ones greet you. [2COR 13:11-12]
I am amazed that you are so quickly forsaking the one who called you by (the) grace (of Christ) for a different gospel (not that there is another). But there are some who are disturbing you and wish to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach (to you) a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be
accursed! As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than the one that you received, let that one be accursed! Am I now currying favor with human beings or God? Or am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of
Christ. [GAL 1:6-10]
For through faith you are all children of God in
Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have
clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and
female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [GAL 3:26-28]
For you were called for freedom, brothers. But
do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather,
serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in
one statement, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as
yourself." But if you go on biting and devouring one another,
beware that you are not consumed by one another. I say, then: live
by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the
flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the
Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that
you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit,
you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious:
immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds,
rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness,
dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies,
and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who
do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. In contrast,
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such
there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ (Jesus) have
crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in
the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. Let us not be
conceited, provoking one another, envious of one another. [GAL
5:13-26]
Brothers, even if a person is caught in some
transgression, you who are spiritual should correct that one in a
gentle spirit, looking to yourself, so that you also may not be
tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so you will fulfill the
law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is
nothing, he is deluding himself. Each one must examine his own
work, and then he will have reason to boast with regard to himself
alone, and not with regard to someone else; for each will bear his
own load. One who is being instructed in the word should share all
good things with his instructor. Make no mistake: God is not
mocked, for a person will reap only what he sows, because the one
who sows for his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but
the one who sows for the spirit will reap eternal life from the
spirit. Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we
shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. [GAL 6:1-9]
So I declare and testify in the Lord that you
must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their
minds; darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God
because of their ignorance, because of their hardness of heart,
they have become callous and have handed themselves over to
licentiousness for the practice of every kind of impurity to
excess. That is not how you learned Christ, assuming that you have
heard of him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, that
you should put away the old self of your former way of life,
corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit
of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God's way in
righteousness and holiness of truth. Therefore, putting away
falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are
members one of another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the
sun set on your anger, and do not leave room for the devil. The
thief must no longer steal, but rather labor, doing honest work
with his (own) hands, so that he may have something to share with
one in need. No foul language should come out of your mouths, but
only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart
grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
with which you were sealed for the day of redemption. All
bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed
from you, along with all malice. (And) be kind to one another,
compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in
Christ. [EPH 4:17-32]
So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and
live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as
a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma. Immorality or
any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is
fitting among holy ones, no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk,
which is out of place, but instead, thanksgiving. Be sure of this,
that no immoral or impure or greedy person, that is, an idolater,
has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no
one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things
the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient. So do not be
associated with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are
light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces
every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Try to learn
what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the fruitless works
of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to
mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed
by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible
is light. Therefore, it says: "Awake, O sleeper, and arise
from the dead, and Christ will give you light." Watch
carefully then how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise,
making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil.
Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand
what is the will of the Lord. And do not get drunk on wine, in
which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing
one another (in) psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for
everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives
should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. For the
husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church,
he himself the savior of the body. As the church is subordinate to
Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in
everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the
church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing
her by the bath of water with the word, that he might present to
himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any
such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. So (also)
husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves
his wife loves himself. For no one hates his own flesh but rather
nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church,
because we are members of his body. "For this reason a man
shall leave (his) father and (his) mother and be joined to his
wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This is a great
mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church. In any
case, each one of you should love his wife as himself, and the
wife should respect her husband. [EPH 5:1-33]
Children, obey your parents (in the Lord), for
this is right. "Honor your father and mother." This is
the first commandment with a promise, "that it may go well
with you and that you may have a long life on earth."
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up
with the training and instruction of the Lord. Finally, draw your
strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor
of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics
of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but
with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of
this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.
Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist
on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground.
So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with
righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness
for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a
shield, to quench all (the) flaming arrows of the evil one. And
take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God. With all prayer and supplication, pray at every
opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all
perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones [EPH
6:1-4,10-18]
Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the
gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am
absent, I may hear news of you, that you are standing firm in one
spirit, with one mind struggling together for the faith of the
gospel, not intimidated in any way by your opponents. This is
proof to them of destruction, but of your salvation. And this is
God's doing. For to you has been granted, for the sake of Christ,
not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him. [PHIL
1:27-29]
If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love,
any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy,
complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love,
united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness
or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more
important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own
interests, but (also) everyone for those of others. Have among
yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,
Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality
with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found
human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to
death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted
him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at
the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and
on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [PHIL 2:1-11]
So then, my beloved, obedient as you have always
been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am
absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For God
is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire
and to work. Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that
you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish
in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you
shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of
life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not
run in vain or labor in vain. [PHIL 2:12-16]
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. Writing the same
things to you is no burden for me but is a safeguard for you.
Beware of the dogs! Beware of the evil workers! Beware of the
mutilation! [PHIL 3:1-2]
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