 Look
on the needs of the saints as your own; be generous in offering hospitality.
Bless your persecutors; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those
who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same attitude toward all.
Put away ambitious thoughts and associate with those who are lowly. Do
not be wise with your own estimation. Never repay injury with injury. See
that your conduct is honorable in the eyes of all. If possible, live peaceably
with everyone. Beloved, do not avenge yourself; leave that to God's wrath,
for it is written: "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord." But
if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something
to drink; by doing this you will heap burning coals upon his head." Do
not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.
(Romans 12:13-21) Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim; redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow. Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. (Isaiah 1:16-18)
In order that I might not become concieted, I was given a thorn in the flesh,
an angel of satan to beat me and keep me from getting proud.
Three times I begged the Lord that this might leave me. He said to me,
"My grace is enough for you, for in weakness power reaches perfection."
And so I willingly boast of my Weakness instead, that the POWER of CHRIST
may rest upon me. Therefore, I am content with Weakness, with Mistreatment,
with Distress, with Persecution and Difficulties for the Sake of CHRIST;
for when I am Powerless, it is then that I am Strong.
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