The LORD hates the ways of evil people, but loves those who do what is right.

Be kind and honest and you will live a long life; others will respect you and treat you fairly.

The LORD says, "Listen to me, you that want to be saved, you that come to me for help. Think of the rock from which you came, the quarry from which you were cut.

So we say that the Gentiles, who were not trying to put themselves right with God, were put right with him through faith;

So then, we must always aim at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another.

and have a reputation for good deeds: a woman who brought up her children well, received strangers in her home, performed humble duties for other Christians, helped people in trouble, and devoted herself to doing good.

But you, man of God, avoid all these things. Strive for righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.

Try to be at peace with everyone, and try to live a holy life, because no one will see the Lord without it.

You must turn away from evil and do good; you must strive for peace with all your heart.

Who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good?

My dear friend, do not imitate what is bad, but imitate what is good. Whoever does good belongs to God; whoever does what is bad has not seen God.

I may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell.

I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned ---but if I have no love, this does me no good.

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

Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail.

Avoid the passions of youth, and strive for righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who with a pure heart call out to the Lord for help.

to your godliness add Christian affection; and to your Christian affection add love.

Now, concerning what you wrote about the gifts from the Holy Spirit. I want you to know the truth about them, my friends.

Set your hearts, then, on the more important gifts. Best of all, however, is the following way.

Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For in our union with Christ he has blessed us by giving us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world.

But those who proclaim God's message speak to people and give them help, encouragement, and comfort.

I would like for all of you to speak in strange tongues; but I would rather that you had the gift of proclaiming God's message. For the person who proclaims God's message is of greater value than the one who speaks in strange tongues---unless there is someone present who can explain what is said, so that the whole church may be helped.

I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains---but if I have no love, I am nothing.

For our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only partial;

Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him. He took some of the spirit he had given to Moses and gave it to the seventy leaders. When the spirit came on them, they began to shout like prophets, but not for long.

A young man ran out to tell Moses what Eldad and Medad were doing.

Moses answered, "Are you concerned about my interests? I wish that the LORD would give his spirit to all his people and make all of them shout like prophets!"

So we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us. If our gift is to speak God's message, we should do it according to the faith that we have;

do not despise inspired messages.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift that is in you, which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the elders laid their hands on you.