developing character

¹Therefore, having been justified by faith, let us be at peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. ²For through him we also have access by faith to this grace, in which we stand firm, and to glory, in the hope of the glory of the sons of God. ³And not only that, but we also find glory in tribulation, knowing that tribulation exercises patience, ⁴and patience leads to proving, yet truly proving leads to hope, ⁵but hope is not unfounded, because the love of God is poured forth in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, forbearance,

¹²Let no one despise your youth, but be an example among the faithful in word, in behavior, in charity, in faith, in chastity. ¹³Until I arrive, attend to reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine.

²¹Do not allow evil to prevail, instead prevail over evil by means of goodness.

⁵But as for you, taking up every concern, minister virtue in your faith; and in virtue, knowledge; ⁶and in knowledge, moderation; and in moderation, patience; and in patience, piety; ⁷and in piety, love of brotherhood; and in love of brotherhood, charity. ⁸For if these things are with you, and if they abound, they will cause you to be neither empty, nor without fruit, within the plan of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁸Give thanks in everything. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for all of you.

⁴and patience leads to proving, yet truly proving leads to hope,

⁷I have fought the good fight. I have completed the course. I have preserved the faith. ⁸As for the remainder, a crown of justice has been reserved for me, one which the Lord, the just judge, will render to me in that day, and not only to me, but also to those who look forward to his return. Hurry to return to me soon.

²My brothers, when you have fallen into various trials, consider everything a joy, ³knowing that the proving of your faith exercises patience, ⁴and patience brings a work to perfection, so that you may be perfect and whole, deficient in nothing.

⁵And may the Lord direct your hearts, in the charity of God and with the patience of Christ. ⁶But we strongly caution you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to draw yourselves away from every brother who is walking in disorder and not according to the tradition that they received from us. ⁷For you yourselves know the manner in which you ought to imitate us. For we were not disorderly among you. ⁸Nor did we eat bread from anyone for free, but rather, we worked night and day, in hardship and weariness, so as not to be burdensome to you. ⁹It was not as if we had no authority, but this was so that we might present ourselves as an example to you, in order to imitate us. ¹⁰Then, too, while we were with you, we insisted on this to you: that if anyone was not willing to work, neither should he eat.

²³I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not his own. Neither is it given to man to walk and to direct his own steps.

¹¹But you, O man of God, flee from these things, and truly pursue justice, piety, faith, charity, patience, meekness.

²And do not choose to be conformed to this age, but instead choose to be reformed in the newness of your mind, so that you may demonstrate what is the will of God: what is good, and what is well-pleasing, and what is perfect.

⁷Persevere in discipline. God presents you to himself as sons. But what son is there, whom his father does not correct? ⁸But if you are without that discipline in which all have become sharers, then you are of adultery, and you are not sons. ⁹Then, too, we have certainly had the fathers of our flesh as instructors, and we reverenced them. Should we not obey the Father of spirits all the more, and so live? ¹⁰And indeed, for a few days and according to their own wishes, they instructed us. But he does so to our benefit, so that we may receive his sanctification. ¹¹Now every discipline, in the present time, does not seem a gladness, of course, but a grief. But afterwards, it will repay a most peaceful fruit of justice to those who become trained in it.

¹²Honor your father and your mother, so that you may have a long life upon the land, which the Lord your God will give to you.

⁵But as for you, taking up every concern, minister virtue in your faith; and in virtue, knowledge;

¹The vision of Isaiah, the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Joatham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. ²Listen, O heavens, and pay attention, O earth, for the Lord has spoken. I have nurtured and raised children, but they have spurned me. ³An ox knows his owner, and a donkey knows the manger of his lord, but Israel has not known me, and my people have not understood. ⁴Woe to a sinful nation, a people burdened by iniquity, a wicked offspring, accursed children. They have abandoned the Lord. They have blasphemed the Holy One of Israel. They been taken away backwards. ⁵For what reason shall I continue to strike you, as you increase transgressions? The entire head is feeble, and the entire heart is grieving. ⁶From the sole of the foot, even to the top of the head, there is no soundness within. Wounds and bruises and swelling sores: these are not bandaged, nor treated with medicine, nor soothed with oil.

³³He spoke another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of fine wheat flour, until it was entirely leavened.”

²¹And so, Gehazi followed after the back of Naaman. And when he had seen him running toward him, he leaped down from his chariot to meet him, and he said, “Is all well?” ²²And he said: “It is well. My lord has sent me to you, saying: ‘Just now two youths from the sons of the prophets have come to me from mount Ephraim. Give them a talent of silver, and two changes of clothing.’ ” ²³And Naaman said, “It is better that you accept two talents.” And he urged him, and he bound the two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing. And he set them upon two of his servants, who carried them before him. ²⁴And when now he had arrived in the evening, he took them from their hands, and he stored them in the house. And he dismissed the men, and they went away. ²⁵Then, having entered, he stood before his lord. And Elisha said, “Where are you coming from, Gehazi?” He responded, “Your servant did not go anywhere.” ²⁶But he said: “Was my heart not present, when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? And now you have received money, and you have received garments, so that you might buy olive groves, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and men and women servants.

¹²Here is the patient endurance of the Saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.