Never take revenge, my friends, but instead let God's anger do it. For the scripture says, "I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord."

Don't take it on yourself to repay a wrong. Trust the LORD and he will make it right.

But now I tell you: do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, let him slap your left cheek too.

See that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but at all times make it your aim to do good to one another and to all people.

Do not pay back evil with evil or cursing with cursing; instead, pay back with a blessing, because a blessing is what God promised to give you when he called you.

Do not let what you regard as good get a bad name.

Instead, one Christian goes to court against another and lets unbelievers judge the case!

The very fact that you have legal disputes among yourselves shows that you have failed completely. Would it not be better for you to be wronged? Would it not be better for you to be robbed?

Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud;

love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs;

We are being careful not to stir up any complaints about the way we handle this generous gift.

Our purpose is to do what is right, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of others.

In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.

Put into practice what you learned and received from me, both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives us peace will be with you.

Be wise in the way you act toward those who are not believers, making good use of every opportunity you have.

In this way you will win the respect of those who are not believers, and you will not have to depend on anyone for what you need.

and avoid every kind of evil.

So I would prefer that the younger widows get married, have children, and take care of their homes, so as to give our enemies no chance of speaking evil of us.

in order to train the younger women to love their husbands and children,

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.

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.

but do it with gentleness and respect. Keep your conscience clear, so that when you are insulted, those who speak evil of your good conduct as followers of Christ will become ashamed of what they say.