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Jesus said:
9 I have loved you just as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.
10 If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.
11 I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete. (John 15: 9-11)
Jesus said:
34 I give you a new commandment: love one another; you must love one another just as I have loved you.
35 It is by your love for one another, that everyone will recognise you as my disciples. (John 13: 34-35)
...God is Love and anyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in him. Love will come to its perfection in us when we can face the day of Judgement without fear; because even in this world we have become as he is. (1 John 4: 16-17)
Love is the greatest thing that will last - Extracted from 1st Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 13:
1 Though I command languages both human and angelic - if I speak without love, I am no more than a gong booming or a cymbal clashing.
2 And though I have the power of prophecy, to penetrate all mysteries and knowledge, and though I have all the faith necessary to move mountains -if I am without love, I am nothing.
3 Though I should give away to the poor all that I possess, and even give up my body to be burned - if I am without love, it will do me no good whatever.
4 Love is always patient and kind; love is never jealous; love is not boastful or conceited,
5 it is never rude and never seeks its own advantage, it does not take offence or store up grievances.
6 Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but finds its joy in the truth.
7 It is always ready to make allowances, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes.
8 Love never comes to an end.
But if there are prophecies, they will be done away with; if tongues, they will fall silent; and if knowledge, it will be done away with.
9 For we know only imperfectly, and we prophesy imperfectly;
10 but once perfection comes, all imperfect things will be done away with.
11 When I was a child, I used to talk like a child, and see things as a child does, and think like a child; but now that I have become an adult, I have finished with all childish ways.
12 Now we see only reflections in a mirror, mere riddles, but then we shall be seeing face to face. Now I can know only imperfectly; but then I shall know just as fully as I am myself known.
13 In short, there are 3 things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love.
Extracted from Deuteronomy, Chapter 24:
14 'You must not exploit a poor and needy wage-earner, be he one of your brothers or a foreigner resident in your community.
15 You must pay him his wages each day, not allowing the sun to set before you do, since he, being poor, needs them badly; otherwise he may appeal to Yahweh against you, and you would incur guilt.
Extracted from Ecclesiasticus/ Sirach 2: 17-21:
My child, be gentle in carrying out your business, and you will be better loved than a lavish giver.
The greater you are, the more you should behave humbly, and then you will find favour with the Lord, for great though the power of the Lord is, he accepts the homage of the humble. |
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11 My child, do not scorn correction from Yahweh, do not resent his reproof;
12 for Yahweh reproves those he loves, as a father the child whom he loves.
13 Blessed are those who have discovered wisdom, those who have acquired understanding!
14 Gaining her is more rewarding than silver, her yield is more valuable than gold.
15 She is beyond the price of pearls, nothing you could covet is her equal.
16 In her right hand is length of days; in her left hand, riches and honour.
17 Her ways are filled with delight, her paths all lead to contentment.
18 She is a tree of life for those who hold her fast, those who cling to her live happy lives.
19 In wisdom, Yahweh laid the earth's foundations, in understanding he spread out the heavens.
20 Through his knowledge the depths were cleft open, and the clouds distil the dew.
21 My child, hold to sound advice and prudence, never let them out of sight;
22 they will give life to your soul and beauty to your neck.
23 You will go on your way in safety, your feet will not stumble.
24 When you go to bed, you will not be afraid; once in bed, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear either of sudden terror or of attack mounted by wicked men,
26 since Yahweh will be your guarantor, he will keep your steps from the snare.
27 Refuse no kindness to those who have a right to it, if it is in your power to perform it.
28 Do not say to your neighbour, 'Go away! Come another time! I will give it you tomorrow,' if you can do it now.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbour who is living unsuspecting beside you.
30 Do not pick a groundless quarrel with anyone who has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy the man of violence, never model your conduct on his;
32 for the wilful wrong-doer is abhorrent to Yahweh, who confides only in the honest.
33 Yahweh's curse lies on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright.
34 He mocks those who mock, but accords his favour to the humble.
35 Glory is the portion of the wise, all that fools inherit is contempt.
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Fatherly Advice -Extracted from Proverbs Chapter 3:
1 My child, do not forget my teaching, let your heart keep my principles,
2 since they will increase your length of days, your years of life and your well-being.
3 Let faithful love and constancy never leave you: tie them round your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Thus you will find favour and success in the sight of God and of people.
5 Trust wholeheartedly in Yahweh, put no faith in your own perception;
6 acknowledge him in every course you take, and he will see that your paths are smooth.
7 Do not congratulate yourself on your own wisdom, fear Yahweh and turn your back on evil:
8 health-giving, this, to your body, relief to your bones.
9 Honour Yahweh with what goods you have and with the first-fruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with corn, your vats overflowing with new wine. |
