11 But as for you, *O man of God, flee from these things; aim at and pursue righteousness [true goodness, moral conformity to the character of God], godliness [the fear of God], faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. [2 Tim 3:17]

12 Let no one look down on [you because of] your youth, but be an example and set a pattern for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in [moral] purity.

13 Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong. [Ps 31:24] 14 Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us].

8 He has told you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion),

And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]? [Deut 10:12, 13]

9 These are the records of the generations (family history) of Noah. Noah was a righteous man [one who was just and had right standing with God], blameless in his [evil] generation; Noah walked (lived) [in habitual fellowship] with God.

1 *There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God [with reverence] and abstained from and turned away from evil [because he honored God].

6 There came a man commissioned and sent from God, whose name was *John. [Mal 3:1] 7 This man came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe [in Christ, the Light] through him.

24 [Skillful and godly] wisdom is in the presence of a person of understanding [and he recognizes it],

But the eyes of a [thickheaded] fool are on the ends of the earth.

12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name— [Is 56:5] 13 who were born, not of blood [natural conception], nor of the will of the flesh [physical impulse], nor of the will of man [that of a natural father], but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth—they are born of God—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].

31 We know [according to your tradition] that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone fears God and does His will, He hears him.

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?

By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].

10 With all my heart I have sought You, [inquiring of You and longing for You];

Do not let me wander from Your commandments [neither through ignorance nor by willful disobedience]. [2 Chr 15:15]

11 Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart,

That I may not sin against You.

12 Blessed and reverently praised are You, O Lord;

Teach me Your statutes.

13 With my lips I have told of

All the ordinances of Your mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,

As much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate on Your precepts

And [thoughtfully] regard Your ways [the path of life established by Your precepts]. [Ps 104:34]

16 I will delight in Your statutes;

I will not forget Your word.

Gimel.

1 *Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example],

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of *scoffers (ridiculers).

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night. [Rom 13:8-10; Gal 3:1-29; 2 Tim 3:16]

3 And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season;

Its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity]. [Jer 17:7, 8]

4 The wicked [those who live in disobedience to God’s law] are not so,

But they are like the chaff [worthless and without substance] which the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand [unpunished] in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the Lord knows and fully approves the way of the righteous,

But the way of the wicked shall perish.

22 that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, 23 and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], 24 and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation].