Book of Common Prayer
Brothers, We Ask You To Abound Even More In Holiness, For This Is God’s Will
4 Finally then, brothers, we ask you, and exhort in the Lord Jesus that just as you received from us how you ought-to be walking and pleasing God (just as you also are walking), that you be abounding more. 2 For you know what commands we gave to you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God: your holiness[a]— that you be abstaining[b] from sexual-immorality; 4 that each of you know-how to acquire[c] control of his own vessel[d] in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of [e] desire[f] as indeed the Gentiles not knowing God; 6 that[g] no one overstep[h] and exploit[i] his brother[j] in the matter[k]. Because the Lord is the avenger concerning all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly-warned. 7 For God did not call us for[l] impurity, but in[m] holiness. 8 So-therefore[n] the one rejecting is not rejecting a human, but God, the One also giving His Holy Spirit to you.
But You Know From God To Love One Another. We Exhort You To Abound Even More
9 But concerning brotherly-love, you have no need that anyone should be writing to you. For you yourselves are God-taught so-that you might be loving one another. 10 For indeed you are doing it toward all the brothers in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, to be abounding more, 11 and to be ambitious[o] to be quiet[p], and to be doing[q] your own things and working with your own hands just as we commanded you, 12 in order that you may walk properly toward the ones outside and may have need of nothing[r].
Some Say Avenge an Eye For an Eye. I Say Do Not Retaliate, But Do The Opposite
38 “You heard that it was said, ‘An eye for[a] an eye, and a tooth for a tooth’. 39 But I say to you not to resist[b] the evil person. But whoever slaps[c] you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 And to the one wanting to sue you and take your tunic[d], permit him also the cloak. 41 And whoever will press you into service[e] for one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one asking you, and do not turn away from the one wanting to borrow from you.
Some Say Hate Your Enemies. I Say Love Them And Pray For Them
43 “You heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy’. 44 But I say to you, be loving your enemies, and be praying for the ones persecuting you, 45 so that you may prove-to-be[f] sons of your Father[g] in the heavens— because He causes His sun to rise upon evil and good ones, and He sends rain upon righteous and unrighteous ones. 46 For if you love the ones loving you, what reward do you have? Are not even the tax-collectors doing the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what extraordinary thing are you doing? Are not even the Gentiles[h] doing the same?
Be Perfect Reflections of Your Heavenly Father
48 “Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing