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As by fat and as by oil, my soul will grow fat, and with the lips of praise my mouth will praise you. Every person will know by this that you are my disciples,

Hold firmly to the true words that I taught you, as the example for you to follow, and remain in the faith and love that are ours in union with Christ Jesus.

Guard [with greatest care] the treasure [that precious truth], through [the help of] the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. The secret [of the wise counsel] of the LORD is for those who fear Him, And He will let them know His covenant and reveal to them [through His word] its [deep, inner] meaning.

And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in all believers [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them].

Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to believer's by God’s unmerited favor].

Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who speaks the oracles (utterances, the very words) of God. Whoever serves is to do so as one who serves by the strength which God [abundantly] supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified [honored and magnified] through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

That which I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light, and that which you hear at the ear, proclaim on the housetops.

Also take salvation as your helmet and the word of God as the sword that the Spirit supplies. Let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another in order to promote love and good works. God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility of mind, gentleness, meekness and patience.

For we are His workmanship [His own master, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].

Seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue.

We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ. That you would be perfect and without blemish as purified children of God who dwell in a hard and crooked generation, and appear among them as lights in the world.

As you offer them the message of life. If you do so, I shall have reason to be proud of you on the Day of Christ, because it will show that all my effort and work have not been wasted.

We do not conform to this world [with its superficial values and customs], but are transformed and progressively changed [mature spiritually] by the renewing of our mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that we may prove [for ourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for us.

Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,

to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen The righteous man who walks in integrity and lives life in accord with his [godly] beliefs— How blessed [happy and spiritually secure] [who have his example to follow].

But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope and confident assurance of salvation. The secret [of the wise counsel] of the LORD is for those who fear Him, And He will let them know His covenant and reveal to them [through His word] its [deep, inner] meaning.

Yet we do speak wisdom among those spiritually mature [believers who have teachable hearts and a greater understanding]; but [it is a higher] wisdom not [the wisdom] of this present age nor of the rulers and leaders of this age.

Happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is the man who finds [skillful and godly] wisdom, And the man who gains understanding and insight [learning from God’s word and life’s experiences].

Because its merchandise is better than the merchandise of silver, and the excellencies of its increase than refined gold,

but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom once hidden [from man, but now revealed to us by God, that wisdom] which God predestined before the ages to our glory [to lift us into the glory of His presence]. Thank You Father for Your goodness, Your grace, Your love, Your mercy, Your peace, Your power, Your provision, Your direction, Your joy, Your strength, and Your guidance. Father You are our all and all. Thank You for what You have done and for what You are doing in our lives. We love You and we exalt You in Jesus name. Amen.