You must be perfect---just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Yet I do proclaim a message of wisdom to those who are spiritually mature. But it is not the wisdom that belongs to this world or to the powers that rule this world---powers that are losing their power.

And so we shall all come together to that oneness in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God; we shall become mature people, reaching to the very height of Christ's full stature.

All of us who are spiritually mature should have this same attitude. But if some of you have a different attitude, God will make this clear to you.

All of us often make mistakes. But if a person never makes a mistake in what he says, he is perfect and is also able to control his whole being.

But you think I am lying--- you think I can't tell right from wrong.

But just as your tongue enjoys tasting food, your ears enjoy hearing words.

You know good food when you taste it, but not wise words when you hear them.

How sweet is the taste of your instructions--- sweeter even than honey!

There is a fragrance about you; the sound of your name recalls it. No woman could keep from loving you.

Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my dearest compared to other men. I love to sit in its shadow, and its fruit is sweet to my taste.

"The eyes are like a lamp for the body. If your eyes are sound, your whole body will be full of light;

but if your eyes are no good, your body will be in darkness. So if the light in you is darkness, how terribly dark it will be!

I ask that your minds may be opened to see his light, so that you will know what is the hope to which he has called you, how rich are the wonderful blessings he promises his people,

God said that because he knows that when you eat it, you will be like God and know what is good and what is bad."

I said to myself that your promise, sir, would make me safe, because the king is like God's angel and can distinguish good from evil. May the LORD your God be with you!"

So give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?"

and so he said to him, "Because you have asked for the wisdom to rule justly, instead of long life for yourself or riches or the death of your enemies,

By the time he is old enough to make his own decisions, people will be drinking milk and eating honey.

Welcome those who are weak in faith, but do not argue with them about their personal opinions.

Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit. Such a person really does not understand them, and they seem to be nonsense, because their value can be judged only on a spiritual basis.

Whoever has the Spirit, however, is able to judge the value of everything, but no one is able to judge him.

I pray that your love will keep on growing more and more, together with true knowledge and perfect judgment,

so that you will be able to choose what is best. Then you will be free from all impurity and blame on the Day of Christ.

Put all things to the test: keep what is good