The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
14 Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God.
14
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
15 Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time.
15
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
16 Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite.
16
See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.
17 You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing - but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.
17
Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.
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.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.