These men who are trying to force you to let yourselves be circumcised simply want to make a fine outward show, only to keep you from being persecuted for the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Indeed, the very men who let themselves be circumcised do not themselves observe the law. But they simply want you to let yourselves be circumcised, so that they can boast of you as members of their party.

And for me, let it not be -- to glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which to me the world hath been crucified, and I to the world;

From now on let no one trouble me [by making it necessary for me to justify my authority as an apostle, and the absolute truth of the gospel], for I bear on my body the branding-marks of Jesus [the wounds, scars, and other outward evidence of persecutions—these testify to His ownership of me].

by the reading whereof you may perceive how far I am let into the secret of Christ.

And to let all men see, what is the fellowship of the mystery, which was hidden from the beginning of the world by God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

and through your faith to let Christ in his love make his home in your hearts. Your roots must be deep and your foundations strong,

Let there be but one Lord, one faith, one baptism:

But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ.

Therefore, rejecting all falsehood [whether lying, defrauding, telling half-truths, spreading rumors, any such as these], speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one another [and we are all parts of the body of Christ].

Be ye angry, and not committing sin, let not the sun be going down upon your angry mood,

Let, the stealer, no more, steal, but rather let him be toiling, - working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have wherewith to be giving away to him that hath need;

Let, no putrid discourse, out of your mouth, be going forth, but if anything is good - suited to the needful upbuilding, - that it may give benefit unto them that hear;

All bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and outcry, and profane speaking, let it be taken away from you, with all baseness;

Let it then be your desire to be like God, as well-loved children;

But, fornication, and all impurity, or covetousness, let it not be named among you - even as becometh saints;

Let there be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse [obscene or vulgar] joking, because such things are not appropriate [for believers]; but instead speak of your thankfulness [to God].

Let no one be deceiving you with empty words; for, because of these things, is coming the anger of God upon the sons of obstinacy:

For you at one time were dark, but now are light in the Lord: let your behaviour be that of children of light

trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him—your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation].

Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character];

Therefore be very careful how you live and act. Let it not be as unwise men, but as wise.

expressing yourselves in psalms, in hymns, and spiritual songs; and let your hearts beat the time, in concerts of praises to the Lord,

Always and for everything let your thanks to God the Father be presented in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

let married women be submissive to their husbands, out of regard to the Lord.

But as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives should be subject to their husbands in everything [respecting both their position as protector and their responsibility to God as head of the house].

However, each man among you [without exception] is to love his wife as his very own self [with behavior worthy of respect and esteem, always seeking the best for her with an attitude of lovingkindness], and the wife [must see to it] that she respects and delights in her husband [that she notices him and prefers him and treats him with loving concern, treasuring him, honoring him, and holding him dear].

Let it not be in acts of eye-service as if you had but to please men, but as Christ's bondservants who are doing God's will from the heart.

Finally, my brothers, let your hearts be strengthened in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

stand firm, the belt of truth round your waist, let justice invest you like mail:

let salvation be your helmet, and the divine doctrine your spiritual sword.

I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage your hearts.

Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying and incorruptible love.

Only let your behaviour do credit to the good news of Christ, so that if I come and see you or if I am away from you, I may have news of you that you are strong in one spirit, working together with one soul for the faith of the good news;

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves.

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility],

And being seen in form as a man, he took the lowest place, and let himself be put to death, even the death of the cross.

receive him then in the Lord with all alacrity, and let such be the objects of your esteem:

All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude. And if in any respect you have a different attitude, that too God will make clear to you.

Only let us stay true to what we have already attained.

Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near.

Do not worry about anything; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

Finally, my brethren, whatever has the character of truth, of dignity, of justice, of chastity, whatever can procure you esteem and reputation, in a word, if there be any thing virtuous or praise-worthy, let that be the object of your enquiry.

I know what it is even to be kept low, and I know what it is to have more than enough, - in every way, and in all things, have I been let into the secret - both to be well fed, and to be hungering, both to have more than enough, and to be coming short:

What I mean is, let nobody mislead you by specious arguments.

Be careful that you do not let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ.

Therefore let no one judge you in regard to food and drink or in regard to [the observance of] a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day.

Let no one defraud you of your prize [your freedom in Christ and your salvation] by insisting on mock humility and the worship of angels, going into detail about visions [he claims] he has seen [to justify his authority], puffed up [in conceit] by his unspiritual mind,

let the things above, and not such worldly matters be the object of your thoughts.

but now renounce them all, as well as anger, animosity, malice: let calumny and obscene discourse be banish'd from your lips.

let there be no fraud among you, since you have discarded your former habits and practices, and are become new men,

As saints of God, then, holy and dearly loved, let your behaviour be marked by pity and mercy, kind feeling, a low opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, and a power of undergoing all things;

Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].

Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

let your discourse and your actions be all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father by him.

Whatever you are doing, let your hearts be in your work, as a thing done for the Lord and not for men.

Pray for me too, that God may give me an opening for the message, and let me tell the secret of Christ on account of which I am kept in prison

Let Christian wisdom rule your behaviour to the outside world; make the very most of your time;

Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].

I have sent him with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, one of your own number, for this very purpose, to let you know how I am, and to cheer your hearts.

and with him is Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will let you know everything about the situation here [in Rome].

And when this letter has been made public among you, let the same be done in the church of Laodicea; and see that you have the letter from Laodicea.

So let us stop sleeping as others do, but let us stay awake and keep sober.

but let us who belong to the day keep sober, clothed with faith and love for a coat of mail and with the hope of salvation for a helmet.

Therefore encourage one another, and let each one help to strengthen his friend, as in fact you do.

Let no one give evil for evil; but ever go after what is good, for one another and for all.

Let all things be tested; keep to what is good;

This is a proof of God's righteous judgment, His aim being to let you show yourselves worthy of His kingdom, for which you are suffering; since,

not to let your minds be easily unsettled or even be excited, whether by some message by the Spirit or by some saying or letter that is claimed as coming from me, saying that the day of the Lord is already here.

Do not let anybody at all deceive you about this, because that cannot take place until the great revolt occurs and the representative of lawlessness is uncovered, the one who is doomed to destruction,

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

For the rest, my brothers, let there be prayer for us that the word of the Lord may go forward with increasing glory, even as it does with you;

For even when we were with you we commanded you this, that if any man will not work, neither let him eat.

keeping hold of faith and a good conscience. For some people have let that go and have had their faith ruined,

Now I want the men to offer prayer at any meeting of the church; and let the hands they lift to heaven be holy ??they must be free from anger and dissension.

Let a woman learn in silence in all subjection.

I allow no woman to teach, or to exercise authority over a man; but let her keep quiet.

Likewise let the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not fond of filthy lucre;

And let these be proved first,

And let these also first be proven, then being blameless, let them serve as deacons.

Likewise let their wives be grave, not tattlers, modest, faithful in all things.

Let helpers be husbands of one wife, ruling children and their own houses well.

I am writing this to you in case I should be detained, to let you see how you ought to behave in the household of God??he Church of the everliving God, the pillar and mainstay of the truth.

But make it your habit to let worldly and old women's stories alone. Continue training yourself for the religious life.

Let these be your orders and your teaching.

Let no one think little of you because you are young, but always set an example for believers, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

Let these things be your care, give yourself wholly to them, so that your progress may be manifest to all.

Do not say sharp words to one who has authority in the church, but let your talk be as to a father, and to the younger men as to brothers:

Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or grand children, let these learn first to shew piety at home,

But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to be devoted to their own house, and to give back recompense to their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

as for the widow, who is really such, and without any assistance, let her place all her hopes in God, and be assiduous in supplication and prayer.

Let no widow be enrolled under sixty years old, having become the wife of one man,

If a Christian woman has widowed relatives, she should help them, and let the church be free from the burden, so that it can help the widows who are really dependent.

Let the elders who rule well be regarded worthy of double compensation, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

Never let any charge be brought against a presbyter, unless it is certified by two or three witnesses.

Let bondmen, as many as are under a yoke, regard their own masters worthy of all respect, so that the name of God and the doctrine may not be blasphemed.

And those who have believing masters, let them not disparage them because they are brothers, instead let them serve more because they are believers and beloved--those who are recipients of the benefit. Teach and exhort these things

But if we have food and a roof over us, let that be enough.

Tell those who are rich in this age not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, let them place their confidence in God, who lavishly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.