I say this to put you to shame. Has it come to this, that there is not a single wise man among you who could decide a dispute between members of the brotherhood,

let everyone bring his own work to the test ??then he will have something to boast about on his own account, and not in comparison with his fellows.

Let

Someone will object, 'And you claim to have faith!' Yes, and I claim to have deeds as well; you show me your faith without any deeds, and I will show you by my deeds what faith is!

So let them have proof of how you can love, and of my reasons for being proud of you; it will be a proof read by the churches.

But you are the elect race, the royal priesthood, the consecrated nation, the People who belong to Him, that you may proclaim the wondrous deeds of Him who has called you from darkness to his wonderful light ??10 you who once were no people and now are God's people, you who once were unpitied and now are pitied.

A good

Only, do lead a life that is worthy of the gospel of Christ. Whether I come and see you or only hear of you in absence, let me know you are standing firm in a common spirit, fighting side by side like one man for the faith of the gospel.

Let no one slight you because you are a youth, but set the believers an example of speech, behaviour, love, faith, and purity.

Keep your life free from the love of money; be content with what you have, for He has said, Never will I fail you, never will I forsake you.

Conduct yourselves properly before pagans; so that for all their slander of you as bad characters, they may come to glorify God when you are put upon your trial, by what they see of your good deeds.

In the same way, you wives must be submissive to your husbands, so that even those who will not believe the Word may be won over without a word by the behaviour of their wives,

With meekness

The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, forbearing, conciliatory, full of mercy and wholesome fruit, unambiguous, straightforward;

so clear away all the foul rank growth of malice, and make a soil of modesty for the Word which roots itself inwardly with power to save your souls.

Blessed are the humble! they will inherit the earth.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find your souls refreshed;

Tell the daughter of Sion, 'Here is your king coming to you, He is gentle and mounted on an ass, And on a colt the foal of a beast of burden.'

I appeal to you myself by the gentleness and consideration of Christ ??the Paul who is 'humble enough to your face when he is with you, but outspoken enough when he gets away from you.'

gentleness, self-control: ??there is no law against those who practise such things.

Even if anyone is detected in some trespass, brothers, you are spiritual, you must set the offender right in a spirit of gentleness; let each of you look to himself, in case he too is tempted.

with perfect modesty and gentleness, showing forbearance to one another patiently, zealous in love

As God's own chosen, then, as consecrated and beloved, be clothed with compassion, kindliness, humility, gentleness, and good temper ??13 forbear and forgive each other in any case of complaint; as Christ forgave you, so must you forgive.

Shun that, O man of God, aim at integrity, piety, faith, love, stedfastness, and suavity;

he must be gentle in his admonitions to the opposition ??God may perhaps let them change their mind and admit the Truth;

they must abuse no one, they must not quarrel, but be conciliatory and display perfect gentleness to all men.

but inside, in the heart, with the immortal beauty of a gentle and modest spirit, which in the sight of God is of rare value.

General references

(Look! perhaps your very light is dark.)

As for this mob, with its ignorance of the Law ??it is accursed!"