The righteous will flourish like palm trees; they will grow like the cedars of Lebanon.

that still bear fruit in old age and are always green and strong.

Your people will all do what is right, And will possess the land forever. I planted them, I made them, To reveal my greatness to all.

To give to those who mourn in Zion Joy and gladness instead of grief, A song of praise instead of sorrow. They will be like trees That the LORD himself has planted. They will all do what is right, And God will be praised for what he has done.

Now go up into the hills, get lumber, and rebuild the Temple; then I will be pleased and will be worshiped as I should be.

In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

he bought you for a price. So use your bodies for God's glory.

Well, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God's glory.

And God, who supplies seed for the sower and bread to eat, will also supply you with all the seed you need and will make it grow and produce a rich harvest from your generosity.

For this service you perform not only meets the needs of God's people, but also produces an outpouring of gratitude to God.

And so with deep affection they will pray for you because of the extraordinary grace God has shown you.

Your lives will be filled with the truly good qualities which only Jesus Christ can produce, for the glory and praise of God.

to be self-controlled and pure, and to be good housewives who submit themselves to their husbands, so that no one will speak evil of the message that comes from God.

or steal from them. Instead, they must show that they are always good and faithful, so as to bring credit to the teaching about God our Savior in all they do.

Your conduct among the heathen should be so good that when they accuse you of being evildoers, they will have to recognize your good deeds and so praise God on the Day of his coming.

Those who preach must preach God's messages; those who serve must serve with the strength that God gives them, so that in all things praise may be given to God through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and power forever and ever. Amen.

So Jesus said to those who believed in him, "If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples;

If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples."

But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

No! Love your enemies and do good to them; lend and expect nothing back. You will then have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God. For he is good to the ungrateful and the wicked.