being a women of god

³For you, there should be no unnecessary adornment of the hair, or surrounding with gold, or the wearing of ornate clothing. ⁴Instead, you should be a hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptibility of a quiet and meek spirit, rich in the sight of God. ⁵For in this way, in past times also, holy women adorned themselves, hoping in God, being subject to their own husbands. ⁶For so Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You are her daughters, well-behaved and unafraid of any disturbance.

²⁰She has opened her hand to the needy, and she has extended her hands to the poor.

¹⁵But sanctify Christ the Lord in your hearts, being always ready to give an explanation to all who ask you the reason for that hope which is in you.

⁶Be anxious about nothing. But in all things, with prayer and supplication, with acts of thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God.

²⁸Her sons rose up and predicted great happiness; her husband rose up and praised her.

¹Therefore, as most beloved sons, be imitators of God. ²And walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and delivered himself for us, as an oblation and a sacrifice to God, with a fragrance of sweetness. ³But let not any kind of fornication, or impurity, or rapacity so much as be named among you, just as is worthy of the saints, ⁴nor any indecent, or foolish, or abusive talk, for this is without purpose; but instead, give thanks. ⁵For know and understand this: no one who is a fornicator, or lustful, or rapacious (for these are a kind of service to idols) holds an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. ⁶Let no one seduce you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God was sent upon the sons of unbelief.

¹A wise woman builds up her household. But a foolish one will pull down with her own hands what has been built up. ²One who walks on a virtuous journey, and who fears God, is despised by him who advances along a disreputable way. ³In the mouth of the foolish, there is a rod of arrogance. But the lips of the wise guard them. ⁴Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty. But where there are many crops, there the strength of the ox is manifest. ⁵A faithful witness will not lie. But a deceitful witness offers a lie. ⁶A mocker seeks wisdom and does not find it. The doctrine of the prudent is accessible.

¹¹And the Lord will give you rest continually, and he will fill your soul with splendor, and he will free your bones, and you will be like a watered garden and like a fountain of water whose waters will not fail.

⁵May he grant to you according to your heart, and confirm all your counsels.

¹¹Because of this, console one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.

¹³Everything is possible in him who has strengthened me.

¹Similarly also, wives should be subject to their husbands, so that, even if some do not believe the Word, they may benefit without the Word, through the behavior of these wives, ²as they consider with fear your chaste behavior. ³For you, there should be no unnecessary adornment of the hair, or surrounding with gold, or the wearing of ornate clothing. ⁴Instead, you should be a hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptibility of a quiet and meek spirit, rich in the sight of God. ⁵For in this way, in past times also, holy women adorned themselves, hoping in God, being subject to their own husbands. ⁶For so Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You are her daughters, well-behaved and unafraid of any disturbance.

²⁸Do you not know, or have you not heard? The Lord is the eternal God, who has created the limits of the earth. He does not diminish, and he does not struggle. Neither is his wisdom searchable. ²⁹It is he who gives strength to the weary, and it is he who increases fortitude and strength in those who are failing. ³⁰Servants will struggle and fail, and young men will fall into infirmity. ³¹But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will take up wings like eagles. They will run and not struggle. They will walk and not tire.

⁷Most beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God. And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

²⁹Let no evil words proceed from your mouth, but only what is good, toward the edification of faith, so as to bestow grace upon those who listen.

¹But you are to speak the things that befit sound doctrine. ²Old men should be sober, chaste, prudent, sound in faith, in love, in patience. ³Old women, similarly, should be in holy attire, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teaching well, ⁴so that they may teach prudence to the young women, so that they may love their husbands, love their children, ⁵be sensible, chaste, restrained, have concern for the household, be kind, be subordinate to their husbands: so that the Word of God may be not blasphemed. ⁶Exhort young men similarly, so that they may show self-restraint.

³³Therefore, seek first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things shall be added to you as well.

¹⁰Teach me to do your will. For you are my God. Your good Spirit will lead me into the righteous land.

¹⁴I will confess to you, for you have been magnified terribly. Your works are miraculous, as my soul knows exceedingly well.