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New International Version (NIV) |
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6 So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart.
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6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.
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7 People sleep at night and get drunk at night.
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7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
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8 But not us! Since we're creatures of Day, let's act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.
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8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
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9 God didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ.
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9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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10 He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we're alive with him!
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10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
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11 So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it.
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11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
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12 And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience.
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12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.
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13 Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!
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13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
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14 Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs.
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14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
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15 And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.
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15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
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16 Be cheerful no matter what;
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16 Be joyful always;
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| Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved. (The Message Bible Online) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
