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Colossians
3:1-17 New International Version (c)
Rules for Holy Living
1Since, then, you have been raised
with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated
at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on
earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with
Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also
will appear with him in glory.
5Put to death, therefore, whatever
belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust,
evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the
wrath of God is coming. 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life
you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things
as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your
lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old
self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is
being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there
is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian,
Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12Therefore, as God's chosen
people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other
and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on
love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in
your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.
And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you
teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing
psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to
God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
1 Timothy
3:1-12 and 5:1-13
New International Version (c)
Overseers and Deacons (for
all those in ordained and consecrated ministry)
1Here is a trustworthy saying: If
anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.
2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one
wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to
teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not
quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family
well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If
anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take
care of God's church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may
become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He
must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not
fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.
8Deacons, likewise, are to be men
worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not
pursuing dishonest gain. 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of
the faith with a clear conscience. 10They must first be tested; and
then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11In the same way, their wives are
to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate
and trustworthy in everything.
12A deacon must be the husband of
but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.
13Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great
assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Love of Controvesy and of
Money
3If anyone teaches false doctrines
and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ
and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He
has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words
that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and
constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed
of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial
gain.
6But godliness with contentment is
great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take
nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be
content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation
and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men
into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all
kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the
faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
11But you, man of God, flee from
all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance
and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the
eternal life to which you were called when you made your good
confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 4:11-15 New
International Version (c)
On
personal responsibility
11Command and teach these things.
12Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an
example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and
in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of
Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14Do not neglect your gift,
which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of
elders laid their hands on you.
15Be diligent in these matters;
give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.
16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if
you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
'Let
those who have ears hear.....'
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