14 Turn away from evil and do good;

Seek peace and pursue it.

3 Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good;

Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness.

13 I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord

In the land of the living.

6 Remember, O Lord, Your [tender] compassion and Your lovingkindnesses,

For they have been from of old.

7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;

According to Your lovingkindness remember me,

For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.

17 The Lord is [unwaveringly] righteous in all His ways

And gracious and kind in all His works.

9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice [in every circumstance]

And integrity and every good path.

22 That which is desirable in a man is his loyalty and unfailing love,

But it is better to be a poor man than a [wealthy] liar.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

10 So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).

29 Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].

32 Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave *you.

9 Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.

21 Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good.

23 All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].

33 Do not be deceived: *"Bad company corrupts good morals."

8 And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.

9 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves modestly and appropriately and discreetly in proper clothing, not with [elaborately] braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but instead adorned by good deeds [helping others], as is proper for women who profess to worship God.

14 who [willingly] gave Himself [to be crucified] on our behalf to redeem us and purchase our freedom from all wickedness, and to purify for Himself a chosen and very special people to be His own possession, who are enthusiastic for doing what is good. [Deut 14:2; Ps 130:8; Ezek 37:23]

5 For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises], make every effort in [exercising] your faith to *develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding), 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly affection, and in your brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit].

13 Now who is there to hurt you if you become enthusiastic for what is good?

16 Thus says the Lord,

"Stand by the roads and look; ask for the ancient paths,

Where the good way is; then walk in it,

And you will find rest for your souls.

But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’ [Matt 11:29]

7 The Lord is good,

A strength and stronghold in the day of trouble;

He knows [He recognizes, cares for, and understands fully] those who take refuge and trust in Him. [Ps 1:6; Hos 13:5; John 10:14, 27]

15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. [Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16; 11:33] 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.

36 Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender) just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful.