Am I now trying to win the approval of people or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be the Messiah's servant.

Rather, because we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, we speak as we do, not trying to please people but God, who tests our motives.

In singleness

"The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.

United in purpose, they went to the Temple every day, ate at each other's homes, and shared their food with glad and humble hearts.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear, trembling, and sincerity, as when you obey the Messiah.

Fearing

Three days later, Joseph told them, "I fear God, so do this and you'll live.

So I said, "What you're doing isn't right! Shouldn't you live in the fear of our God to avoid shame from our foreign enemies?

In spite of many daydreams, pointless actions, and empty words, it is more important to fear God.

Even though a sinner does what is wrong a hundred times and still survives, nevertheless I also know that things will go well for those who fear God, who fear in his presence.

Let the conclusion of all of these thoughts be heard: Fear God and obey his commandments, for this is what it means to be human.

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let's cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit by becoming mature in our holy fear of God.

General references

But Jacob replied to Laban, "You know how I've served you and how your cattle thrived under my care.

You know I've been serving your father with all my heart.