And we, [believing] brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children [not merely of physical descent, like Ishmael, but are children born] of promise [born miraculously].

Look! I, Paul, tell you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing!

We look for, and hope in the spirit, to be justified through faith.

For in union with Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor lack of it counts for anything; but only faith that is spurred on to action by love.

The sins of our earthly nature are unmistakable. They are sins like these--unchastity, impurity, indecency,

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

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.

Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting.

As many as desire to look good in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

For neither circumcision nor the lack of it has any value, but only a new creation.

and how surpassingly great his power is for us who believe; like the mighty strength

Among these [unbelievers] we all once lived in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by the sinful self], indulging the desires of human nature [without the Holy Spirit] and [the impulses] of the [sinful] mind. We were, by nature, children [under the sentence] of [God’s] wrath, just like the rest [of mankind].

So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit].

Therefore, I tell you and insist on in the Lord not to live any longer like the gentiles live, thinking worthless thoughts.

But you did not learn about Christ like this,

and to be renewed in your mind, by living like men formed anew,

And you should put on the new person who has been [re-] created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Since, therefore, you have cast off what is false, 'you must every one of you speak the truth to your neighbors.' For we are united to one another like the parts of a body.

banish all resentment and indignation, anger, vehemence, detraction, and every thing like malice.

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

Live in a loving way, just like Christ loved us and gave Himself up [to die] for us as an offering and fragrant smelling sacrifice to God.

for you were formerly darkness, but now [you are] light in the Lord. Live like children of light

Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise;

that He might present the church to Himself as a splendid bride without a blot or wrinkle or anything like it, but to be consecrated and faultless.

In like manner husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife loveth himself;

Do not do this only while you're being watched in order to please them, but be like slaves of the Messiah, who are determined to obey God's will.

Stand, therefore,

with truth like a belt around your waist,
righteousness like armor on your chest,

as I heartily look for and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed: but that with all confidence, as always in times past, even so now Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be through life, or else death.

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.

make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;

Do nothing out of a spirit of contention, or for vain-glory, but modestly look upon others as if they were better than yourselves.

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

To whom, though himself in the form of God, it did not seem that to take for oneself was to be like God;

but emptied Himself [without renouncing or diminishing His deity, but only temporarily giving up the outward expression of divine equality and His rightful dignity] by assuming the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men [He became completely human but was without sin, being fully God and fully man].

and being found in form like a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient even till death, and the death of the cross.

so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.

And even if I am offered like a drink offering, giving myself for the cause and work of your faith, I am glad and have joy with you all:

In like manner do ye also rejoice, and rejoice with me.

For I have no one like-minded who will care with genuine feeling how ye get on.

For all the others look after their own interests, not after those of Jesus the Messiah.

But you know his proven character, that like a child with a father he served with me for the gospel.

Him, indeed, therefore, am I hoping to send - as soon as I can look off from the things that concern myself, - forthwith.

But I feel that I must send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow-laborer, and fellow-soldier, whom you sent to look after my needs.

Welcome him home in the Lord with great joy, and appreciate and honor men like him;

Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

look to the dogs, look to the evil-workers, look to the concision;

That I may have knowledge of him, and of the power of his coming back from the dead, and a part with him in his pains, becoming like him in his death;

In the hope that, if I become like him in death, I may possibly attain to the resurrection from the dead.

For all those of our number who are mature, this must be the point of view; God will reveal that to any of you who look at things differently.

Brethren, be followers of me, and look on them which walk even so, as ye have us for an example.

For there are many who live, as I have often told you, and tell you now with tears, like enemies of the cross of Christ.

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be like-minded in [fellowship with] the Lord.

Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.

But I have everything [I need], and in abundance; I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts that you sent, [which are like] a fragrant-smelling sacrifice, acceptable and very pleasing to God.

Now, am I rejoicing in the sufferings on your behalf, and am filling up the things that lack of the tribulations of the Christ, in my flesh, in behalf of his body, which is the assembly,

To this end, like an earnest wrestler, I exert all my strength in reliance upon the power of Him who is mightily at work within me.

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those [believers] at Laodicea, and for all who [like yourselves] have never seen me face to face.

And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins.

These things are [only] a shadow of future things, but the body [i.e., the real substance of things] belongs to Christ. [Note: The idea here is that the ritual observances of the Mosaic law were like shadows pointing to the reality of life in Christ].

As you died with Christ to the Elemental spirits of the world, why live as if you still belonged to the world? Why submit to rules and regulations like

Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but aren't of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.

You used to behave like them as you lived among them.

and have clothed yourselves with the new self which is being remoulded into full knowledge so as to become like Him who created it.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in every respect, not only when they are watching -- like those who are strictly people-pleasers -- but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord.

Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, salutes you ??a servant of Christ Jesus who is always earnest in prayer for you, that you may stand firm like mature and convinced Christians, whatever be the will of God for you.

Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

And say ye to Archippus, Look well to the ministry, which thou hast received of the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

Because our good news came to you, not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Spirit, so that you were completely certain of it; even as you saw what our behaviour to you was like from our love to you.

and to [look forward and confidently] wait for [the coming of] His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who [personally] rescues us from the coming wrath [and draws us to Himself, granting us all the privileges and rewards of a new life with Him].

But we behaved gently when we were among you, like a devoted mother tenderly caring for her own children.

just as you know how [we treated] each one of you, like a father his own children,

For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

May the Lord make your love for one another and for all men wide and full like my love for you,

not [to be used] in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God and are ignorant of His will;

That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.

Whenever they say "Peace and security," then sudden destruction will overtake them like the birth pains of {a pregnant woman}, and they will not possibly escape.

But you, believers, [all you who believe in Christ as Savior and acknowledge Him as God’s Son] are not in spiritual darkness [nor held by its power], that the day [of judgment] would overtake you [by surprise] like a thief;

So then, we must not sleep like the rest, but must be on the alert and be self-controlled.

Make sure that no one does anything wrong to someone who wrongs him, but always look for something good you can do for one another and for everyone.

Do not look down on prophetic messages.

May the Lord guide your hearts into a sense of God's love and into a steadfastness like Christ's.

For also when we were with you we enjoined you this, that if any man does not like to work, neither let him eat.

For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.

Yet, don't treat him like an enemy, but warn him like a brother.

They would like to be teachers of law although they do not understand the words they use or the matters they insist upon.

with faith and a good conscience. By ignoring their consciences, some people have destroyed their faith like a wrecked ship.

like Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I turned over to Satan, to be taught not to blaspheme.

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

managing his own house well, and keeping his children under control and perfectly respectful??5 for if a man does not know how to conduct his own household, how can he look after a church of God?

(if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how is he to look after the church of God?);

Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.

Let no one look down on your youth, but be an example for the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Pay close attention to yourself [concentrate on your personal development] and to your teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

Do not sharply reprimand an older man, but appeal to him as [you would to] a father, to younger men as brothers,

to older women as mothers, to younger women as sisters, in all purity [being careful to maintain appropriate relationships].