Readiness of Firm-Footed Steadiness

Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. (Matthew 5:7)

With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless. (2 Samuel 22:26)

Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender) just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful. (Luke 6:36)

Or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:8) Ought you not to have had mercy on your fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on you? (Matthew 18:33)

For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; but [to the one who has shown mercy] mercy triumphs [victoriously] over judgment. (James 2:13)

The LORD God has told us what is right and what he demands: See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God. (Micah 6:8) Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people],

making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

So stand firm and hold your ground, HAVING TIGHTENED THE WIDE BAND OF TRUTH (personal integrity, moral courage) AROUND YOUR WAIST and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (an upright heart),

and having strapped on YOUR FEET THE GOSPEL OF PEACE IN PREPARATION [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. (Ephesians 6:14-15)