“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—

if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,

he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.