This is the ACCOUNT OF NOAH. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time. He walked with God.

Abram was ninety-nine years old. Jehovah appeared to him and said: I am God Almighty. Walk before me and be blameless.

The reason is because I am Jehovah your God. You must live holy lives. Consecrate yourselves and be holy because I am holy. Never become unclean by touching anything that swarms or crawls on the ground.

Tell the entire congregation of Israel: 'Be holy because I, Jehovah your God, am holy.

He is the Rock! His work is perfect. For all His ways are just. He is a God of faithfulness and without evil. He is just and upright.

Let your hearts be committed to Jehovah our God. Then you will live by his laws and keep his commands as you have today.

When Solomon was old he allowed his heart to be turned away to other gods by his wives. His heart was no longer true to Jehovah his God as the heart of his father David had been.

He was not completely loyal to Jehovah his God as his great-grandfather David had been. He committed the same sins as his father did.

Jehovah did this because David had done what was right in Jehovah's eyes. He obeyed his commandments, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.

He did what Jehovah considered right, but he did not do it wholeheartedly.

A man named Job lived in Uz. He was a man of integrity! He was decent, he respected God, and he stayed away from evil.

Did you notice my servant Job? Jehovah asked. There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He respects me and is careful not to do anything evil.

Job took a piece of broken pottery to scratch his sores as he sat in the ashes.

Do you know about the layers of thick clouds, the wonders of one perfect in knowledge?

I was innocent as far as he was concerned. I have kept myself from guilt.

In dealing with faithful people you are faithful. With innocent people you are innocent.

God's way is perfect! The word of Jehovah has proven to be true. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.

The law of Jehovah is perfect. It gives new life. The testimony of Jehovah is dependable. It makes the simple wise.

Keep me from sinning. Do not let anyone gain control over me. Then I will be blameless, and I will be free from any great offense.

Jehovah knows the days of the blameless. Their inheritance will be forever.

The upright will live in the land. The blameless people of integrity will remain.

Righteousness of the undefiled [man of integrity] directs his way! Wickedness causes the evil to fall.

Do not think I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I came, not to destroy, but to fulfill (perfect) (execute) (accomplish). I solemnly tell you, heaven and earth would pass away before one small letter (detail) will pass away from the Law. All things must be accomplished. read more. Whoever disobeys even the least of the commandments and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. On the other hand whoever obeys and teaches others to obey the Law will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. I also tell you, your righteousness must be greater than the scribes and Pharisees or you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. You were told in the past, do not murder (kill). Any one who murders will be brought to trial. Now I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother [without cause] shall be guilty before the court. Whoever speaks to his brother with words of contempt shall receive condemnation before the Sanhedrin [Supreme Court]. Curse your brother and you will be guilty enough to be destroyed by fire, with the burning trash, at the Valley of Hinnom, outside of Jerusalem (Greek: Gehenna). When making an offering at the altar and you remember your brother has something against you, leave your gift at the altar and go make peace with your brother. Then return and make your offering. Come to an agreement quickly with the one who has a legal case against you. Do it before he turns the case over to the judge and you are thrown into jail. Take it from me; you will stay in jail until you pay the very last penny of your fine. You have heard it was said, 'You should not commit adultery.' However, I tell you that whoever looks at a woman with lustful thoughts commits adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, take it out and throw it away! It is better to lose a part of your body then to have your whole body destroyed in the ever-burning fires of the Valley of Hinnom. If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better to lose part of your body, than for your whole body to be destroyed in the ever-burning fire. (Figuratively: lose prospect for everlasting life; ever-burning fire means total destruction.) Again, it was said, 'Whoever gets rid of his wife has to give her a certificate of divorce.' I say to you that everyone divorcing his wife, except for the reason of fornication, makes her liable to commit adultery. And if she marries again, the man she marries also commits adultery. You were also told that you should keep a promise (oath). Always keep your promises (vows) to Jehovah. I tell you, offer no promises at all, not by heaven, because it is God's throne. Not by earth, for it is the footstool under His feet. Not by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not promise by your head, for you cannot even control the hair on your head. Let your answer be 'Yes' or 'No.' Anything more than this is from the evil one. You have heard it said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, do not resist a wicked person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to that person. If someone takes you to court to sue you and takes your shirt, let him have your coat as well. Whoever makes you go one mile, go with him two. Give to those who ask. Lend to those who borrow. You have heard it said, 'You should love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' (Leviticus 19:18) I say love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! You will then act as true children of your Father in heaven. He gives sunlight to both evil and good people. He sends rain for the just and the unjust. What good is there, when you love only those who love you? Even [corrupt] tax collectors do that! When you are kind only to your friends [and brothers] what makes you different from anyone else? Even people of the nations do that. Be perfect (mature), even as your Father in heaven is perfect (mature). (Leviticus 19:2)

Be perfect (mature), even as your Father in heaven is perfect (mature). (Leviticus 19:2)

Be perfect (mature), even as your Father in heaven is perfect (mature). (Leviticus 19:2)

Be perfect (mature), even as your Father in heaven is perfect (mature). (Leviticus 19:2)

Be perfect (mature), even as your Father in heaven is perfect (mature). (Leviticus 19:2)

Do for others the same as you would have them to do for you. That is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.

Peter came to him and said: Lord, How many times may my brother do wrong against me, and I forgive him? Seven times? Jesus said to him: Not seven times; but seventy times seven.

Jesus then replied: If you wish to be complete, go sell your possessions and give the money to the poor. You will have wealth in heaven. Then follow me!

As he traveled someone ran to him, kneeled and asked him: Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit everlasting life? Jesus asked him: Why do you call me good? None is good except God. read more. You know the commandments, do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother. Teacher, he said: I have observed all of these from my youth. Jesus lovingly looked at him and said: You lack one thing. Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me. He was very sad when he heard this for he had many possessions. Then he went away. Looking around Jesus said to his disciples: It is hard for those who have riches to enter into the kingdom of God! The disciples were amazed at his words. Jesus repeated it again: Children, it is hard to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. They were greatly astonished! So they asked him: Who can be saved? Jesus looked at them: With men it is impossible, but not with God: for all things are possible with God. Peter said to him: We have left all and followed you. Jesus said: Truly I tell you, a man that has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for the sake of the good news, will receive a hundred times as much now in this time, and in the age to come everlasting life. Many that are first will be last and the last first.

He told him: You answered correctly, do this and you will live.

A Jewish leader asked: Good Teacher what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus asked: Why do you call me good? None is good except one, God. read more. You know the commandments, do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, and do not bear false witness. Honor your father and mother. The man replied: I have observed all these things from my youth. When Jesus heard it he said to him, You lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me. But when he heard these things he became very sad for he was very rich. Seeing him Jesus said: It is very difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. They heard this and asked: Than who can be saved? He replied: The things that are impossible with men are possible with God. Peter said: Indeed we have left our own to follow you. Jesus said: Truly I tell you, no man has left house, or wife, or brother, or parents, or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive manifold more now and in the age to come everlasting life.

Therefore, through one-man sin entered into the world, and death through sin. So death passed to all men, for all have sinned. Until the law sin was in the world. Sin is not imputed (put on account) when there is no law. read more. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even for those who had not sinned after the likeness of Adam's transgression. Adam is in some ways like Christ who came later. But the two are not the same, because God's gift (spiritual endowment) is not like Adam's sin. It is true that many people died because of the sin of that one man. But God's grace is much greater, and so is his gift to so many people through the loving-kindness of the one man, Jesus Christ. And there is a difference between God's gift (spiritual endowment) and the sin of one man. After the one sin, came the guilty judgment; but after so many sins, comes the undeserved gift of righteousness. It was by the transgression of the one that death ruled as king through that one. Even more so shall those who receive the abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, rule as kings in life by the one, Jesus Christ. The result of one trespass was condemnation for all men. The result of righteousness was justification (acquittal), which brings life for all men. Through the disobedience of one man many have been made sinners. Yet through the obedience of one man many will be made righteous. The law came that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased God's loving kindness increased even more. And what for? Just as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness to everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. We died to sin! How could we any longer live in it? read more. Or are you ignorant to the fact that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death. Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, that we might walk in the newness of life. If we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be in the likeness of his resurrection. We know this that our old self was impaled with him that the body of sin might be destroyed, that we should no longer be in bondage to sin. He who has died is freed from sin. If we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ being raised from the dead died no more; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death that he died, he died with reference to sin once. But the life that he lives, he lives to God. Consider yourselves to be dead with reference to sin, but alive with reference to God through Christ Jesus.

Miserable man that I am! Who will rescue me from the body undergoing this death? Thanks to God, through our Lord Jesus Christ! So then I can serve God's law only with my mind, while my human nature serves the law of sin.

But you are not in flesh but in Spirit, if indeed God's Spirit dwells in you. If any one does not have the Spirit of Christ he does not belong to him.

Do not be conformed to this world (religious, social, political, and economic arrangement). But be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor evil and cling to good.

Owe no man any thing but to love one another. He that loves another has fulfilled (obeyed) the law. For the Law code says: You must not commit adultery, you must not murder, you must not steal, you must not bear false witness, and you must not covet. If there is any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying; namely, you must love your neighbor as yourself. read more. Love works no ill to his neighbor. Therefore love is the law's fulfillment. You know the time. It is the hour for you to awake from sleep. Now our salvation is nearer than when we became believers. The night is far along and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly as in the daytime, not in rioting and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and loose conduct, not in strife and jealousy. Put on (live like) (clothe yourself with) the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not make provision for the desires of the flesh.

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there are no divisions among you. You should be perfectly joined together (united) in the same mind and thought.

How is it we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who come to nothing (are doomed to destruction)?

Brothers, I was not able to speak to you as to spiritual men, but as fleshly men, as babes (infants) in Christ.

Brothers, do not be like children in understanding. When it comes to evil be innocent children but in your thinking be mature adults.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith,

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have impaled the flesh with its passions and lusts. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

For this cause I bow my knees to the Father. Every family in heaven and on earth obtains its name from him. read more. That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man. May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith to the end that you will be rooted and grounded in love. May you be able to comprehend with all the holy ones the breadth and length and height and depth. And may you know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. May you be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him that is able to do far more abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

Now to him that is able to do far more abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

Diligently try to keep the unity (oneness) of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling. read more. There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.

They are darkened (blinded) (obscured) in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart.

Therefore imitate God like beloved children.

I am confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.

It is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect. But I press on, that I may obtain that for which Christ Jesus also obtained.

Let those of us who are mature have this attitude. If you have a different attitude God will show you how to think.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! Let your gentleness (mildness) (moderation) be known to all men for the Lord is near. read more. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. The things that you have learned, received, heard and saw in me; do these things and the God of peace will be with you.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

He also declared your love to us in the Spirit. Since the day we heard about you, we have not ceased to pray and make request for you. We pray for you to be filled with the [intimate accurate] knowledge (discernment) (recognition) of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Philippians 1:9) (John 17:3)

Since the day we heard about you, we have not ceased to pray and make request for you. We pray for you to be filled with the [intimate accurate] knowledge (discernment) (recognition) of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Philippians 1:9) (John 17:3) Walk worthily of God, fully pleasing him. Bear fruit in every good work, and increase in the knowledge (Greek: epignosis: full discernment, recognition) of God. read more. God will strengthen you with all power, according to the might of his glory, to all patience and longsuffering with joy. Give thanks to the Father, who made us partakers of the inheritance of the holy ones in the light. He rescued us from the power of darkness, and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of his love (the Son he dearly loves). We have in him our redemption and the forgiveness of our sins. He is the image (likeness) (representation) of the invisible God. He is the firstborn (Greek: prototokos: childbirth, offspring) of all creation. All things in the heavens and upon the earth where created through him. The things visible and invisible were created through him. Whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him. He is before all things, and through him all things originate. He is the head of the body, the congregation. He is the beginning (commencement), the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence (first place). It was the good pleasure of the Father that in him all the fullness should dwell. And all things are reconciled through him. He made peace through the blood of his atonement (of the stake). He reconciles all things, whether things upon the earth, or things in heaven. You were in the past alienated and enemies because your minds were on your evil works. But he (Christ) reconciled you in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and without accusation before Him (God). Provided that you continue in the faith, grounded (on the foundation) and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the good news you heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven. For this I, Paul, was made a minister.

We preach Christ to everyone. With all possible wisdom we warn and teach them in order to bring each one to God as a mature individual in union with Christ.

Above all these things, put on love, which is the bond of perfection and unity.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

It was appropriate that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, should bring many sons to glory, to make the Chief Agent of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Being made perfect, he became the source (cause) (channel) (conduit) (pathway) (facilitator) of eternal salvation to all who obey him. (Psalm 3:8)

We have many things to say about him and it is hard to explain it to you, for you are dull of hearing (slow to learn).

Therefore leaving the elementary truths of the doctrine of Christ let us move on to maturity. Let us not lay again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.

If perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood, for under it the people received the Law, what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, instead of one named after the order of Aaron? The priesthood was changed, and therefore it is necessary to also change the Law. read more. The one about whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. It is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. This is clear if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, He would become such, not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. For it is announced: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. The former commandment was set aside because it was weak and useless. The Law could not make anything perfect. A better hope has been provided through which we can draw near to God.

The Law appoints men as high priests who have weakness. But the oath that came after the Law appointed the Son who is perfect forever.

This is a symbol that points to the present time. It means that the offerings and animal sacrifices presented to God cannot make the worshiper's heart perfect,

With one offering he has perfected those who are sanctified forever.

God provided something better for us that they might not be made perfect without us.

to the general assembly and congregation of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just (righteous) (holy) men made perfect (mature) (having all needed qualities).

make you perfect (mature) in every good thing. May you do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be mature, complete, and lacking in nothing.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above. It comes down from the Father of lights (truth and spiritual purity), with whom there is no variation. He does not change like shifting shadows.

But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continues, being not a hearer who forgets but a doer who works, this man will be blessed in what he does.

We all stumble in many things. If any do not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able to restrain (control) the whole body.

You love him without seeing him. Though you do not see him, you believe in him. Full of glory, you rejoice greatly with indescribable joy.